Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. People with DM have 2.4–4.3 times greater risk of depression than people without DM as well as patients (pts) treated with insulin. Women experience depression more often than men. Symptoms of depression can make it more difficult to successfully manage diabetes and prevent diabetes-related complications.

Materials and methods: A total of 138 subjects (74 males, 64 females; aged 18–80 years) with T2DM participated in cross-sectional study. Two questionnaires: BDI (Beck depression inventory) and SF-36 (Short-Form-36 Health Survey) were used. Using BDI the severity of depression was detected; SF-36 was used for measuring self-reported physical and mental health status.

Results: The prevalence of depression was higher in females with diabetes (45.3%) compared to males (35.1%). Women with depression (29/64 of pts) were aged 39–76 yrs, BMI 22.3–44.6 kg/m², HbA1c >7% was observed in 17/29 of depressive women, duration of DM2 was 2–192 months. Men with depression (26/74 of pts): age 35–79, BMI 23.2–43.2 kg/m², HbA1c >7% in 13/26 of depressive men, duration of DM2 was 6–360 months. According to BDI questionnaire scores, mild depression was reported in 17 male and 15 female pts, moderate depression was found in 6 males and 9 females and severe depression in 3 male and 5 female pts. Mean scores of SF-36 questionnaire were compared between diabetics with and without depression, and correlated to BDI scores. Depressive pts had statistically lower scores than non depressive (both sexes) in Physical functioning, Emotional role functioning, Mental health, Bodily pain (just males) and General health perceptions.

Conclusion: T2DM is associated with an increased risk of depression. In order to prevent negative consequences of non recognized and untreated depression, evaluation of psychological status in patients with T2DM is recommended.