Are normoglycaemic individuals at risk of depression? The depression-dysglycaemic phenotype from a European population-based cross-sectional study

Depression and type 2 diabetes risk: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Extensive observational evidence has suggested an association between depression and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the causal relationships between these two diseases require further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the bidirectional causal effect between two types of depression and T2D using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

We applied two-step MR techniques, using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as the genetic instruments for analysis. We utilized summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for major depression (MD), depressive status (frequency of depressed mood in the last two weeks), T2D, and other known T2D risk factors such as obesity, sedentary behavior (time spent watching television), and blood pressure. The analysis utilized inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, MR pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier methods to determine potential causal relationships.

Results

The study found that MD was positively associated with T2D, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.10-1.43, p = 5.6×10-4) using the IVW method and an OR of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.04-1.41, p = 0.01) using the weighted median method. Depressive status was also positively associated with T2D, with an OR of 2.26 (95% CI: 1.03-4.94, p = 0.04) and an OR of 3.62 (95% CI: 1.33-9.90, p = 0.01) using the IVW and weighted median methods, respectively. No causal effects of MD and depressive status on T2D risk factors were observed, and T2D did not influence these factors.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates a causal relationship between depression and an increased risk of developing T2D, with both major depression and depressive status being positively associated with T2D.

Insight into the Attitudes and Experiences of Adults with Non-Communicable Diseases a Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Malta Experience

Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been a global epidemic long before the advent of COVID-19. Understandably, with the onset of COVID-19, health priorities shifted. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 through attitudes and experiences on the health and well-being of the Malta adult population suffering from NCDs, a year into COVID-19.

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed online between February 1 and 26, 2021 using Google Forms^®. This assessed the impact of COVID-19 on medical care, intention to take a COVID-19 vaccine, and whether COVID-19 was acquired. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.

Results

Out of the 1,034 participants, 34.82% (95% CI, 31.97–37.77; n = 360) reported to suffer from NCDs (single NCD, n = 276; 2 NCDs, n = 56; 3 NCDs, n = 28) with 6.94% (95% CI, 4.71–10.09) of these reported acquiring COVID-19. Since COVID-19, the NCD population visited the general practitioners less (47%) than those without NCDs (32%) (p ≤ 0.001). With a consensus of concern and fear, “I rather skip check-ups than risk getting COVID-19 in waiting room or clinic.” Postponement and cancellations of medical appointments were reported: “had to do blood tests privately as health centre was not doing them” and “delayed treatment and still awaiting further appointments that were postponed more than once.” The majority intended to take COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusions

It is clear that individuals with NCDs have experienced a general negative effect on their medical care. It's recommended that a dual action strategy is embraced to ensure that both NCDs and COVID-19 are treated simultaneously, leaving no one behind.