Glucose status and depressive symptoms: a cohort study of elderly people in northwest Finland

Sex-based factors influencing perceived relocation stress and glycemic control among older adults with diabetes

This study investigated sex differences perceived relocation stress and glycemic control among older adults with type 2 diabetes in long-term care facilities. A cross-sectional correlation design was used to recruit 120 residents during their first year after moving into the facilities in southern Taiwan. The results showed that almost two-thirds of the participants (64.2%) were women. The mean age was 79.62 (SD = 1.71). Older women with diabetes were reported to have significantly lower levels of education and poor glycemic control but higher levels of perceived relocation stress than men; however, functional independence was significantly higher in men. Although perceived relocation stress significantly predicted HbA1c levels in both women and men, length of stay was also significant in predicting HbA1c levels in women. These findings indicate the need for effective physical and psychological measures to improve glycemic control during the first year of stay in long-term care facilities.

Correlation between symptoms of depression, attitude, and self-care in elderly with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

to correlate depressive symptoms, attitude, and self-care of elderly people with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

study developed with 144 elderly people with diabetes; carried out in Family Health Units. A semi-structured instrument was used to obtain data on the sociodemographic profile; the Geriatric Depression Scale (15 items), the Questionário de Atitudes Psicológicas do Diabetes [Psychological Attitudes of Diabetes Questionnaire], and the Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire (DSCA) were also used.

RESULTS

it was identified that 24.3% of the participants presented depressive symptoms, and 93.8% presented negative attitudes of coping. A greater adherence to self-care activities related to the practice of medication was observed. In the correlation between the scales, a negative and inversely proportional correspondence was noted between depressive symptomatology and physical activity (p=0.010) and foot care (p=0.006), likewise between attitude and foot care (p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

self-care in elderly people with diabetes mellitus is influenced by depressive symptoms and negative coping attitudes.

Biopsychosocial and Nutritional Factors of Depression among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Systematic Review

The rising prevalence of depression among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients has triggered an alarming situation, and further actions need to be taken by health care professionals and policymakers to curb the issue. There is a lack of evidence review in terms of the biopsychosocial and nutritional factors that are related to depression among T2DM. Hence, this review aimed to identify available evidence on the biopsychosocial and nutritional factors associated with depression among T2DM patients based on the existing literature. Articles were systematically searched from four databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOHost. The approach for the identification of the final articles followed PRISMA guidelines. The selected full-text articles were published between 2017 and 2021 in the English language, and included studies focused on depression among T2DM patients. Using AXIS tools, the eligible articles were evaluated to assess the quality of studies. A total of 19 studies were included in the review, and information related to research questions and associated factors was extracted. Biological, psychological, social, and nutritional factors were shown to be linked with depression among T2DM patients. Future studies need to considered using the biopsychosocial model and incorporating nutritional factors to manage the issues of depression among T2DM patients.

Cross-cultural comparison of depressive symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, across six population samples

BACKGROUND

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and BDI-II (revised version) are some of the most widely used and comparable self-report scales for assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in many countries. However, although the relative mean score of each symptom in different countries may vary, the cultural differences of BDI-II symptoms for each item have not been previously studied.

AIMS

To examine the overall picture of the magnitude of the symptoms in the Finnish population, and compare the relative mean score of each symptom between all published population-based samples from different countries fulfilling the search criteria.

METHOD

We conducted a search for population-based studies reporting BDI-II item, using Scopus, PsycINFO and PubMed, and five population-based samples were identified. Relative average scores for each item of the scale were calculated for the Finnish population and five populations from other countries. Meta-regression methods were used to test the differences in the relative score of each symptom between each country separately, and results were then visually compared with spider charts.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in several BDI-II item scores between countries: lower indecisiveness, higher changes in sleep pattern and higher irritability in Finland; higher loss of pleasure in Norway; higher loss of interest in the Dominic Republic; higher self-criticalness and feelings of punishment in Mexico; and higher sadness in Japan.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the study fundings and including all currently published population-based samples with BDI-II scores, cultural differences in depressive symptoms should be considered when interpreting BDI-II item scores.

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly Population Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: A sharp rise in the population of elderly people, who are more prone to somatic and mental diseases, combined with the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes-associated complications in this age group, have an impact on the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Aim of the work: The work of the study was the evaluation of the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the elderly population diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: The pilot study was conducted in 2019 among 200 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 65 years and above, receiving treatment in a specialist diabetes outpatient clinic. The study was based on a questionnaire aimed at collecting basic sociodemographic and clinical data and the complete geriatric depression scale (GDS, by Yesavage) consisting of 30 questions. Results: The study involved 200 patients receiving treatment in a diabetes outpatient clinic. The mean age of the study subjects was 71.4 ± 5.0 years. The vast majority of the subjects (122; 61%) were women, with men accounting for 39% of the study population (78 subjects). A statistically significant difference in the GDS (p < 0.01) was shown for marital status, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes, and the number of comorbidities. Patients with results indicative of symptoms of mild and severe depression were found to have higher BMI, longer disease duration, and a greater number of comorbidities. There were no statistically significant differences in the level of HbA1c. Conclusions: In order to verify the presence of depressive symptoms in the group of geriatric patients with diabetes mellitus, an appropriate screening programme must be introduced to identify those at risk and refer them to specialists, so that treatment can be promptly initiated. Screening tests conducted by nurses might help with patient identification.