Depression not tied to diabetes control in elderly

	Tweet

There is no strong relationship between depression in elderly patients with diabetes and the degree to which they control their blood sugar levels, researchers report.

“We often assume that elderly diabetes patients who are depressed will not benefit from clinical intervention programs unless their depression improves,” Dr. Paula M. Trief told Reuters Health. “This study suggests that this is not the case; depressed patients can improve and thus should be included.”

Trief, of SUNY Upstate University, Syracuse, New York, and colleagues describe their study of about 1600 elderly diabetic Medicare beneficiaries in the medical journal Diabetes Care. The participants were taking part in an investigation of a diabetes case management program. 

There was a significant correlation between depression and diabetes control at the beginning of the study. However, depression did not predict a change in blood sugar control in patients, whether they were randomly assigned to the intervention or to usual care.

Thus, the investigators conclude, depression is not a factor in diabetes control, and it should not be used to exclude patients from programs designed to improve how well they manage their condition.

Also worth investigating, said Trief, is “whether depression affects other aspects of a diabetes patient’s life; for example, adherence to diet or exercise, and family relationships.”

Diabetes Care April 2006.

RELATED STORIES:
Research investment failing mental health   The size and burden of mental disorders in Europe   Seeds of optimism in Iraq’s mental health provision   Actions taken to cope with depressed mood: The role of personality traits   “Wake-Up Pill” Under Study to Treat Patients with Bipolar Disorder   Brain diseases linked to nerve cell junction defects   Binge drinking in middle age tied to dementia risk   Depression May Cause Patients to Become Less Active   “Cultural Sensitivity” in Substance Abuse Treatment   One in six drivers drink sometimes: report   Depression increases mortality risk in diabetics   Exercise linked to less anxiety, depression   Depression often not treated in pregnant women   Some people are more than twice as likely to become depressed as others   Music therapy for depression: study

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]