Addressing the needs of patients with multiple chronic illnesses: the case of diabetes and depression.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on comorbid depression and diabetes (DM/D) and present a conceptual framework for integrating depression management with diabetes care in a managed care environment.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
Depression affects diabetes management by 1) directly affecting patients' health-related quality of life, 2) reducing physical activity levels, 3) limiting adherence to self-care regimens, and 4) impairing patients' ability to communicate effectively with clinicians. Small randomized trials suggest that both antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) or related approaches may improve not only DM/D patients' depressive symptoms, but their physical health as well.


CONCLUSIONS
An effective DM/D management strategy should include the following elements: 1) systematic identification of DM/D patients and quality-of-care reviews, 2) proactive patient monitoring between outpatient encounters, 3) intensive efforts to coordinate treatment across providers, 4) increased access to CBT or related therapies addressing patients' depressive symptoms and diabetes self care, and 5) an emphasis on promoting physical activity to address both depressive symptoms and physiologic dysregulation. The conceptual framework developed for the care of DM/D patients offers general insights into the management of patients with multiple chronic medical disorders
Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, Mich 48113-0170, USA. jpiette@umich.edu
John D
JD
Piette
Caroline
C
Richardson
Marcia
M
Valenstein
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose