Depressive Symptoms and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Is There Any Relationship?

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. Prevalence of depression in patients with diabetes is higher than the general population and can affect the prognosis of diabetes and glycemic control. As physical and mental diseases could be influenced by each other، we planned this study to evaluate the relationship of depression and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this cross-sectional study، patients with type 2 diabetes referring to diabetic clinic of Kamkar Hospital of Qom، Iran، from March to June 2012 were evaluated. Blood samples were taken to measure fasting blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c. Then، the patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the relationship of depression and glycemic control was studied. From 116 studied patients، 36 (31%) were men and others were women. 29. 3% did not have depression and 70. 7% were depressed. Also، 17. 6% of depressed patients and 35. 5% of non-depressed patients had FBS < 130 mg/dl (P = 0. 099) and 17. 1% of depressed patients and 17. 6% of non-depressed patients had HbA1c < 7% (P = 0. 940). Mean FBS was 190. 57 ± 70. 98 mg/dl in depressed patients and 179. 88 ± 66. 27 mg/dl in non-depressed patients (P = 0. 453). Mean HbA1c was 8. 64 ± 1. 63 percent in depressed and 8. 44 ± 1. 41 percent in non-depressed patients (P = 0. 530). Regarding the results of this study، it can be concluded that depression has no effect on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes، especially in long-term period.