Diabetes, depression, and quality of life: a population study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of diabetes and depression and their associations with quality of life using a representative population sample.


METHODS
The study consisted of a representative population sample of individuals aged > or = 15 years living in South Australia comprising 3,010 personal interviews conducted by trained health interviewers. The prevalence of depression in those suffering doctor-diagnosed diabetes and comparative effects of diabetic status and depression on quality-of-life dimensions were measured.


RESULTS
The prevalence of depression in the diabetic population was 24% compared with 17% in the nondiabetic population. Those with diabetes and depression experienced an impact with a large effect size on every dimension of the Short Form Health-Related Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SF-36) as compared with those who suffered diabetes and who were not depressed. A supplementary analysis comparing both depressed diabetic and depressed nondiabetic groups showed there were statistically significant differences in the quality-of-life effects between the two depressed populations in the physical and mental component summaries of the SF-36.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression for those with diabetes is an important comorbidity that requires careful management because of its severe impact on quality of life.
Goldney
Robert D
RD
Department of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, The Adelaide Clinic, Park Terrace, Gilberton, South Australia. robert.goldney@adelaide.edu.au
Phillips
Pat J
PJ
Fisher
Laura J
LJ
Wilson
David H
DH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013021:South Australia