Diabetes and depression: does worsening control of diabetes lead to poorer depression outcomes?

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between diabetes and depression is complex. The aim of this study was to study the impact of diabetic control in depressed primary care patients with diabetes on clinical remission of their depression at 6 months. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review analysis of 145 adult patients diagnosed with either major depressive disorder or dysthymia and had a score of 10 or greater on the PHQ-9. The dependent variable for this study was depression remission at 6 months. The independent variables for this study were age, gender, marital status, race, BMI and HbA1c level within 2 months prior to the time of depression diagnosis. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression modelling demonstrated that initial diabetic control or obesity were not independent predictors of depression remission at 6 months after index date. Also, the odds for the diabetes being in control (HbA1c <8.0%) after 6 months was only associated with being in control at baseline (OR 5.549, CI 2.364-13.024, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline diabetic control does not appear to be an independent predictor for depression outcomes at 6 months. The best predictor of diabetic control after the diagnosis of depression was previous control of diabetes.

Diabetes and obesity not associated with 6-month remission rates for primary care patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Complex interrelationships appear to exist among depression, diabetes, and obesity, and it has been proposed that both diabetes and obesity have an association with depression. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of obesity and diabetes on response to the treatment of depression. Our hypothesis was that obesity and the diagnosis of diabetes in primary care patients with depression would have no effects on depression remission rates 6 months after diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review analysis of 1894 adult (age ≥18y) primary care patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder or dysthymia and a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10 from January 1, 2008, through September 30, 2012. Multiple logistic regression modeling retaining all independent variables was performed for the outcome of remission (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 < 5) 6 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: The presence of obesity (odds ratio = 0.937, 95% CI: 0.770-1.140, p = 0.514) or the diagnosis of diabetes (odds ratio = 0.740, 95% CI: 0.535-1.022, p = 0.068) did not affect the likelihood of remission, while controlling for the other independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: In primary care patients treated for depression, the presence of diabetes or obesity at the time of diagnosis of depression does not appear to significantly affect remission of depressive symptoms 6 months after diagnosis.

Patient's weight 6 months after depression treatment is not affected by either clinical remission or enrolment in collaborative care management.

Objective The primary aim of this study was to determine whether enrolment in collaborative care management (CCM) for treatment of major depression would have a significant impact on 6-month changes in weight compared with patients treated by their primary care provider with usual care. The secondary aim was to determine whether clinical remission would also affect 6-month weight changes. Design A retrospective chart review study included 1550 patients who had been diagnosed with major depression or dysthymia and who had a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of ≥ 10 with follow-up data (PHQ-9 score and weight) at 6 months. Subjects The study sample consisted of adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) from primary care practices, representing all body mass index (BMI) categories. The exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, recent obstetric delivery or recent gastric bypass procedure. Measurements Weight was measured at index and 6 months, with BMI calculated from electronic medical record data. Patient assessment data (including PHQ-9 score and clinical diagnosis) and demographic variables (age, gender, marital status and clinical location) were also collected. Results With regression modelling, neither enrolment in CCM (P = 0.306) nor clinical remission (P = 0.828) was associated with a significant weight gain. Conclusion After 6 months, enrolment in CCM had no significant impact on weight gain or weight loss among patients treated for depression, nor was improvement to clinical remission a factor in the patient's weight after 6 months. Incorporating a weight loss management intervention within the model may be warranted if concomitant weight reduction is desired.