[Risk factors associated with depression in type 2 diabetics]

ABSTRACT

Depression is one of the most common psychological states in type 2 diabetes that contributes to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for the incidence of depression in type 2 diabetic patients. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 254 type 2 diabetic patients were selected through convenience sampling among diabetes outpatient clinics of Tehran university of medical sciences and also Iranian diabetes society during 2010-11. Data were collected using demographic and disease characteristic questionnaire, patient health questionnaire, social support scale and diabetes self-management scale [DSMS] and then analyzed using Chi square, t-test and binary logistic regression. Increased pain and functional disability [OR=11.725], decreased social support [OR=3.086], decreased performance for diabetes self-care [OR=4.088], longer duration of diabetes [OR=1.328], diabetes complications [OR=2.324], the need for insulin therapy [OR=2.431], HbA1c>9% [OR=21.575], BMI>25kg/m2 [OR=2.251] and major life events [OR=14.043] were significantly different between the diabetic patients with and without depression [P=0.001]. There was no significant difference in age, sex and socio-economic status between the two groups. The regression model correctly was fitted in 95.3% of the cases. Pain and functional disability, poor social support, weaker diabetes self-care, longer duration of diabetes, diabetes complications, the need for insulin therapy, HbA1c>9%, BMI>25kg/m2 and the experience of major life events all together contribute to the incidence of depression in type 2 diabetic patients. The results of the study have implications for the prevention of depression in diabetic patients