title: Treatment-related stresses and anxiety-depressive symptoms among Chinese outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong.
abstract: Based on focus group findings, a descriptive instrument was developed to examine the relationship among treatment-related stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, distress, and impairment of 333 Chinese outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in Hong Kong. It was found that the main stresses included fears of diabetes complications, work impairment, lifestyle adjustment, stigmatization, and discrimination. Over 1/4 of patients concealed their DM from family members in order not to make the latter worry. 28.3% felt that life was not worth living. 33.6% of patients exhibited four or more anxiety and depressive symptoms accompanied by significant distress and/or impairment. These patients were more likely to be female, of lower educational level, and unemployed. Diabetes complications, concealment of DM, and feeling of being a burden to the family predicted anxious-depressed status. The study showed that treatment-related stresses and anxiety-depressive symptoms were common and associated among Chinese diabetes outpatients in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, PR China. singlee@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Sing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Adley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Chun-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Wing-Bun
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D044466:Asian People; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents