Depressive symptoms and diabetes control in African Americans.
This study of African Americans with diabetes investigated: (1) the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control; (2) the relationship between depressive symptoms and long-term diabetes complications; (3) the relationship between depressive symptoms and medication usage; and (4) the effects of demographic and diabetes variables on these relationships. One-hundred twenty five African American diabetic adults who were attending health fairs reported demographic and medical history and provided blood samples for A1c assessment of glycemic control. They also completed the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression questionnaire, and the Diabetes Self-Care Inventory. After controlling for confounders, higher depressive symptoms were associated with higher A1c, more long-term diabetes complications, and more diabetes medications. Diabetes self-care did not fully account for these relationships. The relationship between depression and poor diabetes control exists in African Americans as it does in Whites. Providers are encouraged to attend to depression in their African American patients with diabetes.
Wagner
Julie A
JA
Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health (MC3910), University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030, USA. juwagner@uchc.edu
Abbott
Gina L
GL
Heapy
Alicia
A
Yong
Lynne
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology
D001786:Blood Glucose