Depression and diabetes

Abstract

Like all chronic and debilitating diseases, diabetes is a risk factor for depression (major depressive disorder or MDD). There is an increased risk of diabetes in patients suffering from depression, and an increased risk of depression in patients suffering from diabetes, thus suggesting a mechanism linking these 2 disorders. There are 3 complementary hypotheses which could explain this link. One suggests that depression is a risk factor of diabetes through self-care deterioration in patients suffering from depression. Another hypothesis is that there might be a "common ground" between the 2 disorders, which would be frequently associated trough several common risks factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, for example. The last hypothesis is a "reverse causality", suggesting that diabetic or prediabetic patients are more likely to develop depressive disorder symptoms. Regardless of the cause, diabetes should be screened for in depressive patients and conversely, depression should be screened for in diabetic patients, especially in more advanced stages of the disease. Diabetic patients are treated for depression in the same manner as other patients, with antidepressants and psychotherapy. However, these treatments are generally less efficient, partly due to poor rates of self-care and noncompliance.