Self-reported predictors of depressive symptomatology in an elderly population with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of depression increases among the elderly with chronic medical conditions like diabetes. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine predictors of depressive symptomatology in Medicare enrolled elderly population with type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted by administrating health risk assessment questionnaire to elderly (> or =65 years) with type 2 diabetes. Responses were linked with administrative claim's data. Data were obtained from elderly with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in southeastern United States. The instrument collected information related to demographics, health status, medication use, and healthcare service utilization prior to enrollment. Responses were combined with the administrative claims data of HMO to obtain information on actual utilization of healthcare resources. The Short Form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine predictor variables.


RESULTS
Of 792 respondents, about 17% had depressive symptoms. Almost 96% of patients were using 1 or more antidiabetic medications. Overall, increased risk of depression was associated with lower health related quality of life (HRQoL) (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96-0.98) and higher impairments in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.14-0.52) in elderly patients. Poor health related quality of life (OR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.95-0.99) was associated with higher risk of depression in patients on insulin therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Impairments in daily activities and lower HRQoL were predictors of depressive symptomatology in elderly with diabetes. Determinants of depression varied according to pharmacotherapeutic class of antidiabetic medications.
Pawaskar
Manjiri D
MD
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. balkrishnan.1@osu.edu
Anderson
Roger T
RT
Balkrishnan
Rajesh
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology