Prevalence of depression among people with diabetes attending diabetes clinics at primary health settings

Abstract EN

Objective : To study the prevalence of depression among diabetics and to examine the relationship between depression and socio-demographic factors, metabolic control and diabetes complications.

Design : A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Clinical Study.

Setting : Four Primary Health Care Centers.

Method : Two hundred and sixty-four patients were surveyed for the presence of depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale.

In addition, patients' records were reviewed to abstract the following data : socio-demographic characteristics including : age, sex, marital status, level of education, smoking status, Body Mass Index (BMI), duration of diabetes, control of diabetes, use of insulin, presence of diabetic complications, presence of co-morbid conditions including hypertension and hyperlipidemia and the use of antidepressant (s).

Result : Eighty-eight patients (33.3 %) scored 16 or more on BDI scale.

One hundred and sixty patients (60.6 %) of the total sample were females.

Statistical significant association was found between high BDI score (≥ 16) and sex, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg / m2), nephropathy, ischemic heart disease, and the use of insulin.

No significant association between BDI score and metabolic control, duration of diabetes, other socio-demographic factors and diabetic complications was found.

It was found that only 6 (2.3 %) patients were on antidepressants.

Conclusion : Although about one third of the screened patients were potential cases of depression, the great majority were under-recognized and undertreated.

Hence, psychosocial assessment should be part of initial and ongoing evaluation of these patients to improve their quality of life and decrease adverse outcomes.