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Treating Depression in Diabetes May Extend Life
11/28/07
Living Well
Older adults with diabetes and depression live longer when they and their doctors confront and treat the depression. These findings appeared in a study published in the December issue of the medical journal Diabetes Care.
The study followed primary care patients in the New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas for five years. It showed that treating depression reduced mortality more for those who had diabetes than for those who did not.
"Depression is not only common in persons with diabetes, but it also contributes to not taking medicines, not following prescribed diets, and overall reduced quality of life," said lead researcher Dr. Hillary R. Bogner, assistant professor at the Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Depression and diabetes are two of the most common health problems treated in primary care settings. Previous studies have drawn a link between diabetes and depression. They have also highlighted an increased risk of premature death in the presence of both conditions. This is the first known study to examine the relationship between diabetes and mortality in a depression intervention trial.
Researchers concluded that medical care practices should more aggressively integrate depression management into the treatment of people with diabetes.
Depressed people with diabetes who received interventions such as counseling and anti-depressant medications were half as likely to die over a five-year period compared to people with diabetes and untreated depression.
Source:
Diabetes Care, November 2007
CBS News, November 28, 2007