Association between depression and concurrent Type 2 diabetes outcomes varies by diabetes regimen

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for the prevention and treatment of foot ulcers in people with diabetes: a systematic review

AIM

To identify and synthesize the evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to promote the healing, and/or reduce the occurrence of, foot ulceration in people with diabetes.

METHODS

In March 2019 we searched CENTRAL, Medline, Embase and PsycInfo for randomized controlled trials of interventions with psychosocial components for people with diabetes. The primary outcomes of this review were foot ulceration and healing. We assessed studies using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, the TIDieR checklist and GRADE. We conducted narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We included 31 randomized controlled trials (4511 participants), of which most (24 randomized controlled trials, 4093 participants) were prevention studies. Most interventions were educational with a modest psychosocial component. Ulceration and healing were not reported in most studies; secondary outcomes varied. Evidence was of low or very low quality because of high risks of bias and imprecision, and few studies reported adherence or fidelity. In groups where participants had prior ulceration, educational interventions had no clear effect on new ulceration (low-quality evidence). Two treatment studies, assessing continuous pharmacist support and an intervention to promote understanding of well-being, reported healing but their evidence was also of very low quality.

CONCLUSION

Most psychosocial intervention randomized controlled trials assessing foot ulcer outcomes in people with diabetes were prevention studies, and most interventions were primarily educational. Ulcer healing and development were not well reported. There is a need for better understanding of psychological and behavioural influences on ulcer incidence, healing and recurrence in people with diabetes. Randomized controlled trials of theoretically informed interventions, which assess clinical outcomes, are urgently required. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42016052960).

Health literacy and depression in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has recently increased in Taiwan, and depression is common among these patients. Moreover, a lack of health literacy may lead to depression. In this study, we explored the correlation between health literacy and depression in diabetic women.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 152 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. The data were collected through medical records and a self-reported structured questionnaire, which included items on basic attributes, self-rated health status, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes (CHLSD). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses, bivariate correlation tests, and linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-five valid questionnaires were obtained. Approximately 20% of the participants had a higher tendency toward depression as per their CES-D score, and the CHLSD results showed that 13.33% had poor health literacy. There was a negative correlation between health literacy and depressive tendencies after adjusting for self-rated health status, economic satisfaction status, employment status, and education level using multivariate linear regression analyses. For each 1-point rise in the CHLSD score, the CES-D score decreased by 0.17 points (z=-2.05, p=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

A negative correlation was identified between health literacy and depression. Self-rated health status, economic satisfaction, employment status, and higher education level are factors that also affect depressive tendency among diabetic women.

Depression and diabetes distress in adults with type 2 diabetes: results from the Australian National Diabetes Audit (ANDA) 2016

This study explores the prevalence of, and factors associated with, likely depression and diabetes distress in adults with type 2 diabetes in a large, national sample. Australian National Diabetes Audit data were analysed from adults with type 2 diabetes attending 50 diabetes centres. The Brief Case find for Depression and Diabetes Distress Score 17 were administered to screen for likely depression and diabetes-related distress, respectively. A total of 2,552 adults with type 2 diabetes participated: (mean ± SD) age was 63 ± 13 years, diabetes duration was 12 ± 10 years, and HbA1c was 8 ± 2%. Twenty-nine percent of patients had likely depression, 7% had high diabetes distress, and 5% had both. Difficulty following dietary recommendations, smoking, forgetting medications, and diabetes distress were all associated with greater odds of depression whereas higher own health rating was associated with lower odds (all p < 0.02). Female gender, increasing HbA1c, insulin use, difficulty following dietary recommendations and depression were all associated with greater odds of diabetes distress & older age, higher own health rating and monitoring blood glucose levels as recommended were associated with lower odds (all p < 0.04). Depression was associated with sub-optimal self-care, while diabetes distress was associated with higher HbA1c and sub-optimal self-care.

Hemoglobin A1c Variability Predicts Symptoms of Depression in Elderly Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the relationship of variability in hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) over years with subsequent depressive symptoms.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Subjects (n = 837) were participants of the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline (IDCD) study, which aimed to examine the relationship of characteristics of long-term type 2 diabetes with cognitive decline. All pertain to a diabetes registry established in 1998, which contains an average of 18 HbA_1c measurements per subject. The results presented here are based on the IDCD baseline examination. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). To quantify the association between variability in glycemic control (measured as the SD of HbA_1c measurements [HbA_1c-SD]) since 1998 with the number of depression symptoms at IDCD baseline, incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and corresponding 95% CIs were estimated via negative binomial regression modeling and used to account for the overdispersion in GDS scores.

RESULTS

Subjects' ages averaged 72.74 years (SD 4.63 years), and the mean number of years in the diabetes registry was 8.7 (SD 2.64 years). The mean GDS score was 2.16 (SD 2.26); 10% of subjects had a GDS score ≥6, the cutoff for clinically significant depression. Mean HbA_1c significantly correlated with HbA_1c-SD (r = 0.6625; P < 0.0001). The SD, but not the mean, of HbA_1c measurements was significantly associated with the number of subsequent depressive symptoms. For each additional 1% increase in HbA_1c-SD, the number of depressive symptoms increased by a factor of 1.31 (IRR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67]; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Variability in glycemic control is associated with more depressive symptoms.

Glucose-lowering therapies, adequacy of metabolic control, and their relationship with comorbid depression in outpatients with type 2 diabetes in a tertiary hospital in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Depression and diabetes mellitus are important comorbid conditions with serious health consequences. When depression and diabetes are comorbid, depression negatively affects self-management activities of diabetes with serious consequences. Relationship between treatment regimens of diabetes, the adequacy of glycemic control, and occurrence of comorbid depression is not known among our patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study at the outpatient diabetes clinic of the Kenyatta National Hospital where 220 ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes on follow-up were systematically sampled. Sociodemographic data and clinical information were documented. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-anticoagulated blood was used for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) assay on automated system, COBAS INTEGRA machine.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. The prevalence of comorbid depression by PHQ-9 was 32.3% (95% confidence interval: 26.4%-38.6%). The majority, 69.5%, had poor glycemic control, HbA1C >7.0%, mean HbA1C was 8.9%±2.4%. Half, 50.4%, of the study subjects were on insulin-containing regimens. Over 8% (84.5%) of the participants with comorbid depression had poor glycemic control, which worsened with increasing severity of depression. There was significant correlation between comorbid depression and poor glycemic control, which is more consistent in the insulin-treated patients. However, patients on oral agents only, both with and without comorbid depression, were similar in their glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

Among our type 2 diabetic population with comorbid depression, a large proportion had poor glycemic control, which worsened with increasing severity of depression. The insulin treatment increased the odds of comorbid depression and poor glycemic control in patients. It is justifiable to screen for comorbid depression in patients with type 2 diabetes who are in poor glycemic control, especially the insulin-treated, and then provide specific and appropriate interventions that are necessary to optimize their metabolic outcomes.

Diabetes Distress or Major Depressive Disorder? A Practical Approach to Diagnosing and Treating Psychological Comorbidities of Diabetes

The presence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in people with diabetes may be up to three times more common than in the general population. People with diabetes and major depressive disorder have worse health outcomes and higher mortality rates. Diabetes distress refers to an emotional state where people experience feelings such as stress, guilt, or denial that arise from living with diabetes and the burden of self-management. Diabetes distress has also been linked to worse health outcomes. There are multiple treatment options for MDD including pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral approaches. Providers treating patients with diabetes must be aware of the frequent comorbidity of diabetes, diabetes distress, and depression and manage patients using a multidisciplinary team approach. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and bi-directional relationship of diabetes and depression and provides a practical, patient-centered approach to diagnosis and management.

'What ever I do it's a lost cause.' The emotional and behavioural experiences of individuals who are ulcer free living with the threat of developing further diabetic foot ulcers: a qualitative interview study

OBJECTIVE

Individuals who have had one diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) are at high risk for developing further DFUs. This study was designed to examine the emotional and behavioural consequences of living with this heightened risk of re-ulceration.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Fifteen women and men living in south-west England were interviewed at home or at the university by an academic psychologist.

DESIGN

Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis using the constant comparative method was employed for data analysis.

RESULTS

Participants reported having little perceived control in preventing further DFUs. This lack of control was associated with a range of negative emotions including fears and worries about developing further foot ulcers, amputation and guilt for the past neglect. Tensions were present between participants' beliefs and reported behaviours, that is, what they felt they ought to be doing and what they were actually doing to care for their feet; most engaged in 'strategic adherence', that is, conducting a trade-off between living a normal life and following foot-care advice.

CONCLUSION

A lack of perceived control appears central to the emotional and behavioural responses of individuals living with the threat of re-ulceration. We propose that these responses may serve to increase individuals' risk of re-ulceration and that these 'risk factors' should be considered part of the management of this patient group.

Diabetes and depression

Diabetes and depression occur together approximately twice as frequently as would be predicted by chance alone. Comorbid diabetes and depression are a major clinical challenge as the outcomes of both conditions are worsened by the other. Although the psychological burden of diabetes may contribute to depression, this explanation does not fully explain the relationship between these 2 conditions. Both conditions may be driven by shared underlying biological and behavioral mechanisms, such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, inflammation, sleep disturbance, inactive lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and environmental and cultural risk factors. Depression is frequently missed in people with diabetes despite effective screening tools being available. Both psychological interventions and antidepressants are effective in treating depressive symptoms in people with diabetes but have mixed effects on glycemic control. Clear care pathways involving a multidisciplinary team are needed to obtain optimal medical and psychiatric outcomes for people with comorbid diabetes and depression.

Prevalence and determinants of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes in Lithuania

Background

Depression is associated with a variety of diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and macrovascular complications. The prevalence of the symptoms of anxiety (32%) and depression (22.4%) in patients with diabetes is considerably higher than in general population samples (10%). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Material/Methods

This survey was conducted during 2007–2010. In total, 1500 patients were invited to participate in the study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure depression and anxiety for the evaluation of the depressive state and anxiety. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 17.0.

Results

More than 70% of all respondents who participated in the study had diabetes mellitus complications (72.2%). The prevalence of mild to severe depression score was 28.5% (95% CI 25.7–31.4). The prevalence of anxiety was 42.4% (95% CI 39.3–45.5). Anxiety was more frequent among females (46.8%) than among males (34.7%) (p<0.001). A significant negative trend was observed between prevalence of anxiety and depression, and age and education (p for trend <0.001).

Conclusions

A significant association between depression and diabetic complications was identified (p<0.05). Duration of diabetes was a risk factor significantly associated with higher scores of anxiety among the patients with T2DM.

Probing for depression and finding diabetes: a mixed-methods analysis of depression interviews with adults treated for type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Depression has increased prevalence and consistently predicts poor health outcomes among patients with diabetes. The impact of stressors related to diabetes and its treatment on depression assessment is infrequently considered.

METHODS

We used mixed methods to evaluate depressive symptoms in adults with type 2 diabetes. We categorized responses related to diabetes and its treatment during interviews (n=70) using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and administered questionnaires to measure diabetes-related distress and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Participants (M age=56, SD=7; 67% female; 64% Black; 21% Latino) had mild depression on average (MADRS M=10, SD=9). Half of those with symptoms spontaneously mentioned diabetes context; 61% said diabetes contributed to their symptoms when questioned directly. Qualitative themes included: overlapping symptoms of diabetes and depression; burden of diabetes treatment; emotional impact of diabetes; and the bidirectional influence of depression and diabetes. Diabetes was mentioned more often at higher levels of depression severity (r=.38, p=.001). Higher HbA1c was associated with mentioning diabetes as a context for depressive symptoms (r=.32, p=.007). Insulin-users mentioned diabetes more often than those on oral medications only (p=.005).

LIMITATIONS

MADRS is not a traditional qualitative interview so themes may not provide an exhaustive view of the role of diabetes context in depression assessment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The burden of type 2 diabetes and its treatment often provide an explanatory context for depressive symptoms assessed by structured clinical interviews, the gold standard of depression assessment. Diabetes context may influence accuracy of assessment and should inform intervention planning for those needing treatment.

Longitudinal association between medication adherence and glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes

AIM

Despite the widespread assumption that adherence drives glycaemic control, there is little published support for this in Type 2 diabetes. The study objective was to determine whether self-reported medication adherence predicts future glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes, after accounting for baseline control.

METHODS

Medication adherence (4-item Morisky scale), glycaemic control (HbA(1c)%), and other variables were assessed in 287 adult primary care patients prescribed oral medication (40% also on insulin) for Type 2 diabetes. Glycaemic control was reassessed 6 months later. Regression analyses examined concurrent and future glycaemic control as a function of baseline medication adherence after adjustment for baseline glycaemia and other potential confounders.

RESULTS

Only half of patients reported high adherence. Cross-sectional adjusted analysis replicated prior reports of an adherence-HbA(1c) association (P = 0.011). Even after adjusting for baseline HbA(1c), each one-point increase in baseline Morisky total score was associated with a 1.8 mmol/mol (or 0.16%) increase in HbA(1c) measured 6 months later. Additionally, baseline endorsement of forgetting to take medication was associated with a 4.7 mmol/mol (or 0.43%) increase in 6-month HbA(1c) (P = 0.005). This effect persisted after adjusting for psychological distress and did not vary by key demographic and medical features.

CONCLUSIONS

Even after stringent adjustment for baseline glycaemic control, self-reported adherence to diabetes medication predicts long-term glycaemic control. The Morisky scale is an easy-to-use clinical tool to identify patients whose glycaemic control will subsequently worsen, regardless of age, gender and psychological distress.

Prospective associations between emotional distress and poor outcomes in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Cross-sectional studies link both depressive symptoms (DS) and diabetes-related distress (DRD) to diabetes self-management and/or glycemic control. However, longitudinal studies of these variables are rare, and their results are somewhat conflicting. The study objective was to compare DS and DRD as longitudinal predictors of medication adherence, self-care behavior, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Primary care patients with type 2 diabetes reported DS, DRD, and other variables at baseline were studied. Medication adherence, self-care behaviors (diet, physical activity, and glucose testing), and glycemic control (HbA(1c)) were assessed 6 months later (n = 253). Cross-sectional and longitudinal regression analyses were used to model behavioral and medical outcomes as a function of baseline confounders, DS, and DRD.

RESULTS

Adjusted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses yielded very similar results. In the latter, only DS were significantly associated with future diet behavior (P = 0.049), physical activity (P = 0.001), and glucose testing (P = 0.018). In contrast, only DRD predicted future glycemic control (P < 0.001) and medication adherence (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Distress-outcome associations seem to vary by type of distress under consideration. Only DS predicts future lifestyle-oriented self-management behaviors. In contrast, only DRD predicts glycemic control, perhaps by decreasing medication adherence. Clinical assessment and intervention should encompass both types of distress, unless the goal is to narrowly target a highly specific outcome.

Depression, glycemic control and type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Comorbid depression in diabetes has been suggested as one of the possible causes of an inadequate glycemic control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between major depression and the glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Seventy T2DM patients were evaluated. They underwent a psychiatric examination using the following instruments: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and Beck Depression Inventory. The diabetes status was assessed in the short-term (glycemia, glycated hemoglobin) clinical control.

RESULTS

The presence of current depression was observed in 18.6% (13/70). In addition, type 2 diabetes patients who displayed depression evidenced higher levels of glycated hemoglobin (8.6 ± 2.0 vs. 7.5 ± 1.8; p = 0.05) when compared to those who did not exhibit a mood disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

In our sample, the presence of depression seems to impact on the short-term control of T2DM. The authors discuss the clinical utility of these findings in the usual treatment of diabetes.

Racial differences in the discussion and treatment of depressive symptoms accompanying type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To compare rates of discussion of and treatment for depression among African Americans and Whites with diabetes.

METHODS

Measures of diabetes status, depressive symptoms, and history of discussing and being treated for depression were collected from 56 adults with elevated depressive symptoms accompanying diabetes who were drawn from a larger study of type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

Analyses adjusted for confounders and multiple tests indicated that relative to Whites, African Americans were 6-12 times less likely to have ever: discussed depression with anyone (p=.007), discussed depression with their primary care physician (p=.008), been prescribed an antidepressant (p=.002), and they were 25 times less likely to have seen a psychiatrist (p=.003). There were no significant differences in discussing depression with clergypersons, or family members/friends.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to their White counterparts, African Americans with depressive symptoms accompanying diabetes are unlikely to discuss depression with healthcare professionals, be prescribed antidepressant medication, or be seen by a psychiatrist. Minority diabetes patients' medical and psychiatric outcomes may improve if healthcare providers more actively initiate these discussions, provide culturally tailored education about the nature of depression and its management, incorporate patient preferences into treatment plans, and establish relationships with persons more likely to learn about African American patient symptoms.

Longitudinal analysis of depressive symptoms and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To compare whether depressive symptoms are more strongly related to subsequent or prior glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and to test whether patient characteristics modify these longitudinal associations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

On two occasions separated by 6 months, depressive symptoms and glycemic control were assessed in 253 adults with type 2 diabetes. Regression analyses examined depressive symptoms as both a predictor and outcome of glycemic control and tested whether medication regimen (e.g., insulin versus oral drugs) was an effect modifier before and after adjusting for baseline levels of the outcome being predicted.

RESULTS

Depressive symptom severity predicted poor glycemic control 6 months later (P = 0.018) but not after baseline glycemic control was taken into account (P = 0.361). Although baseline glycemic control did not generally predict depressive symptoms 6 months later (P = 0.558), it significantly interacted with regimen (P = 0.008). Specifically, glycemic control predicted depressive symptoms among patients prescribed insulin (beta = 0.31, P = 0.002) but not among those prescribed oral medication alone (beta = -0.10, P = 0.210). Classifying depression dichotomously produced similar but weaker findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms do not necessarily lead to worsened glycemic control. In contrast, insulin-treated patients in poor glycemic control are at moderate risk for worsening of depressive symptoms. These patients should be carefully monitored to determine whether depression treatment should be initiated or intensified.