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Link Between Depression and Diabetes?
People Treated for Type 2 Diabetes Have Higher Risk of Depression, Study Shows
Reviewed by
Louise Chang, MD
June 17, 2008 -- If you are being treated for type 2 diabetes, you might also be at a greater risk of being depressed. A new study looks at the link, suggesting the two may go hand in hand.
Researcher Sherita Hill Golden, MD, of Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues looked at the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in 5,201 adults who did and didn't have depressive symptoms about three years prior. They also analyzed 4,847 adults without depressive symptoms and looked at the odds of developing depressive symptoms for those with and without type 2 diabetes.
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Men and women aged 45 to 84 were selected in 2000-2002 and followed until 2004-2005.
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Diabetes-Depression Link
The researchers found that those who were being treated for type 2 diabetes had a 52% higher risk of developing symptoms of depression.
Participants with type 2 diabetes who were not getting treatment were at no increased risk for being depressed. Those with impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes) had lower odds of getting depressive symptoms.
The findings also suggest a link between baseline depressive symptoms and the development of diabetes over three years, but after taking into account lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol use, daily calorie intake, and physical activity, the authors say this link could have been due to chance. The authors note that some studies have shown a link between depression and diabetes, while others have shown no connection between the two conditions.
Chicken or Egg?
Although it's not clear whether type 2 diabetes is a depression risk factor, the authors write that "a diagnosis of diabetes or the burden of dealing with its complications might also lead to depression." They note that people with untreated type 2 diabetes may have had fewer related medical problems and milder disease.
"Our findings of an association in participants with treated but not untreated type 2 diabetes suggests that the psychological stress associated with diabetes management may lead to elevated depressive symptoms."
The authors add that doctors may want to routinely screen people with type 2 diabetes for depression.
The findings appear in the June 18 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Is This Normal?
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Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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