The bidirectional relationship between depression & diabetes

Abstract

Research suggests a bidirectional relationship between depression and diabetes wherein the incidence of depression is increased in patients with diabetes and the incidence of diabetes—specifically, type 2 diabetes mellitus—is increased in patients with depression. The successful management of patients with comorbid depression and diabetes may be challenging because of the complex interplay between these disease states. Healthcare providers should be aware of common theories regarding the association between depression and diabetes in order to identify opportunities to decrease incident depression and diabetes and tailor treatment options based on patient-specific factors.