Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: In this study, we aimed to assess psychiatric symptoms in 1000 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

Material and methods: 179 patients (mean age 51.73±9.06 years, 117 women and 62 men) who had type II DM were included as a preliminary in this study. The presence of cheiroarthropathy, Dupuytren’s contracture, tinnel sign and tendinitis was assessed. Diabetic retinopathy was assessed by direct ophthalmoscopy. Urinary albumin excretion was determined in at least two 24 h urine samples. Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) and Beck’s anxiety inventory (BAI) were administered.

Results: The mean diabetic duration was 7.32±5.97 years. Dupuytren’s contracture was present in 6.1%, cheiroarthropathy in 11,2%, tinnel sign in 21.2% and tendinitis in 5%. Retinopathy was present in 17.9%, nephropathy in 17.3%. BDI score was 14.894±10.73 and BAI score was 17.80±14.87. There was positive correlation between BDI score and diabetic nephropathy (P=0.000, r=314). Also there was positive correlation between BDI score and tinnel sign (P=0.000, r=303). Positive correlation between BAI score and diabetic nephropathy was detected (P=0.003, r=217). There was positive correlation between BAI score and cheiroarthropathy, tendinitis and tinnel sign (P=0.023, r=170; P=0.039, r=155; P=0.000, r=315 respectively). The suggested BDI cutoff of ≥17 had 81% sensitivity and 79% specificity and classified as clinically depressed. In our study BDI score≥17 was 34.6%. BAI score≥17 was classifed as moderate and serious anxious. In our study BAI score≥17 was 43%.

Conclusions: Psychiatric symptoms, especially depression and anxiety, are widely seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. Quality of life and disability are correlated with depression and anxiety levels. Therefore, in addition to the recent management of DM, psychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood and anxiety should also be taken into consideration in order to increase the quality of life in DM patients.