Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and depression are two frequent health conditions. Their coexistence may represent a medical challenge for clinicians. In addition, early detection of depression can help in better management of diabetes and preventing its complications.

Aim of the study: To assess depression and glycemic control among a group of patients having diabetes.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients followed in the Endocrinology Department of the “Taher Sfar University Hospital” in Mahdia, Tunisia. Depression assessment was made using the DSM-V diagnosis criteria and glycemic control assessment with the last available fasting blood glycemia and HbA1c. The study took place over a one-year period (from October 2019 to October 2020). Patients with a previous psychiatric history were ruled out.

Results: By the end of the study, 260 diabetic patients were included, females represented 62.7%. The mean age of patients was calculated at 57.36 years. The majority of patients had type 2 diabetes (92.3%). The mean of the diabetes duration was of 9 years. Different complications of the diabetic disease were assessed in the time of the study : neuropathy (39%), retinopathy (37%) and nephropathy (24%. A regular physical activity was reported by 58.5% of our patients and a healthy diet pattern by 12.3%. A regular self-blood sugar monitoring was reported by 44.2% of the participants. According to DSM-V diagnosis criteria, the number of participants having Major Depressive disorder(MDD) were of 39 (15%). In this group having MDD, almost all patients (97.4%) had poor glycemic control with a mean of the fasting blood glycemia at 13.45 mmol/l and a mean HbA1c of 10.385%. There was a significant correlation between glycemic control and depression (P=0.002).

Conclusion: Our study showed a worse glycemic control among diabetics having MDD. Clinicians should be attentive to look for depression in case they fail to meet glycemic targets. Depression can predict health-related behaviors problems, and unsatisfactory glycemic control at follow-up which can worsen depressive symptoms. A multidiciplinary approach appears necessary.