Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus: A Warning Sign for Depression

Abstract

Background: People with type 2 diabetes compared to those without seem to have more chances of developing depressive symptoms. Diabetes leads to depression or vice versa, remains an unsolved puzzle. Diabetes and depression together leave deep psychological and physical imprints on their victims leading to functional limitation, poor quality of life and raised mortality rate. Diabetic patients should be warned by the physicians to keep a watch for the development of depressive symptoms in them. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression. Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted at Ziauddin University Hospital over a period of six months. Sample size of 100 was taken. Details of participant’s demographics along with Body Mass Index were recorded. Questionnaires were filled by researchers. SRQ 20 depression scale was used to diagnose depression. Data was entered and analyzed by version 20 of SPSS. Results: Different demographic and social variables were assessed in this study. 100 patients with HbA1c <6.5% were taken and 100 with ≥ 6.5%. 73 (36.5%) patients out of the total sample were depressed, almost from the good glycemic control group. Only a quarter of patients that had normal HbA1c levels became depressed however 48% patients with poor glycemic control suffered depression. Conclusion: Research concludes that co-morbid diabetes and depression is not a rare finding. Risk factors must be ruled out and the chances to develop depression should be identified at an earlier stage before complications worsen the condition.