Diabetes and Depression a "Double Whammy"

If you know many people with diabetes, chances are you know a few who are suffering from depression. Perhaps you have struggled with it yourself. About 20-25% of people with diabetes have symptoms of depression, twice the amount as people without diabetes.

A recent study in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that diabetes and depression are a "double whammy" for women and increase risk of death. There was a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease if depression occurred in a patient who had diabetes over 10 years or used insulin therapy.

The study was based on data from 78,000 women over the age of 54 from the Nurses' Health Study.

The results emphasize why psychosocial support may need to be considered as a standard part of diabetes treatment and may be just as important as diet, exercise and medication.

Increased Risk of Any Death:

Diabetes Only: 35%
Depression Only: 44%
Both Conditions: Twice the risk as those who have neither condition

Increased Risk of Death From Cardiovascular Disease:

Diabetes only: 67%
Depression: 37%
Both Conditions: 2.7 times the risk as those who have neither condition

It was found symptoms of depression increased as treatment regimens became more complex. The most simple treatment was no medication. The most complex was insulin treatment. Researchers felt insulin treatment made patients feel like they were more "doomed" or at the end-stage of the disease, although this is often a misconception.

Researchers recommended both conditions be addressed at the same time in regard to prevention and management. Depression could contribute to poor blood sugar control, poor management, increased risk for complications and feelings of isolation from their social network.

http://diabetes.about.com/b/2011/01/08/diabetes-and-depression-a-double-whammy.htm

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