Undertreatment of mental health problems in adults with diagnosed diabetes and serious psychological distress: the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2007.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and correlates of undertreatment for mental health problems among adults with diabetes and serious psychological distress (SPD).


METHODS
We analyzed data of adults aged >or=18 years from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. SPD was assessed with the Kessler-6 scale.


RESULTS
The prevalence of untreated SPD was estimated to be 2.1 +/- 0.1% (mean +/- SE), 3.4 +/- 0.3%, and 2.0 +/- 0.1% in the total population, diabetic population, and nondiabetic population, respectively. Among people with SPD, those with diagnosed diabetes had a lower rate of undertreatment for mental health problems (45.0%) than those without diabetes (54.9%) (P = 0.002). Nonwhite race/ethnicity, advanced age, lack of health insurance, and currently being employed were associated with increased likelihood of undertreatment for mental health problems (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
People with diagnosed diabetes may be screened for SPD and treated for specific mental health problems in routine health care.
Li
Chaoyang
C
Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. cli@cdc.gov
Ford
Earl S
ES
Zhao
Guixiang
G
Balluz
Lina S
LS
Berry
Joyce T
JT
Mokdad
Ali H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult