Interaction between dietary quality and depression on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetics

Abstract

Background: Poorer diet quality and depression were both independent influences on poor glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The current study aimed to investigate the interaction between dietary quality and depression on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. Methods: In the cross-sectional study, participants were selected using a multistage cluster random method in Xuzhou, and the Meal Frequency Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were respectively used to investigate 1088 patients' dietary quality and depression. Data from physical measurement, glycated haemoglobin, and blood lipid detection were also assessed. Results: The rate of poor glycaemic control was 38.3% in patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality. After adjusting for other variables, the risk of poor glycaemic control in patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality and no depression was 2.04 times higher than that in patients with T2DM with good dietary quality and no depression; the risk of poor glycaemic control in patients with T2DM with good dietary quality and depression was 1.96 times higher than that in patients with T2DM with good dietary quality and no depression; when poor dietary quality and depression co-existed, patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality and depression were at greater risk for poor glycaemic control. Conclusion: The study reveals that in individuals with T2DM, there was a significant additive interaction between poor dietary quality and depressive symptoms, exacerbating poor glycaemic control. This synergistic effect suggested that concurrent management of dietary habits and mental health is crucial for optimizing glycaemic outcomes in this population.