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Posted on Nov 12, 2008, 4 a.m.
By Rich Hurd
New research suggests that diabetics who suffer from depression have higher blood glucose levels than diabetics who are not depressed.
New research suggests that diabetics who suffer from depression have higher blood glucose levels than diabetics who are not depressed.
Dr Leonard Egede and colleagues determined the HbA1c value of 11,525 veterans with type 2 diabetes – 696 (6%) of which had been diagnosed with depression – every 3-months for nine years. Results revealed that HbA1c values in the depressed veterans were, on average, 0.13% higher than in non-depressed veterans.
“Our study shows that depression is a major and important comorbidity in people with type 2 diabetes,” said Dr Egede in a news release. He says that the rise is enough to put diabetics above the recommended range for glucose control, thus increasing their risk of diabetic complications.
Richardson LK, Egede LE. Mueller M, Echols CL, Gebregziabher M. Longitudinal effects of depression on glycemic control in veterans with type 2 diabetes. General Hospital Psychiatry. 2008;30:509-514. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2008.07.001
News release: Depression can hamper glucose control in people With diabetes. Health Behavior News Service. November 11th 2008.
