Prevalence and risk factors of depression among adult Type 2 diabetic patients at Al-Jemaih Diabetic Center, Dongola, Northern State, Sudan, 2019

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes and depression are common diseases with bidirectional associations. Depression in diabetics leads to poor adherence to diet and medication, poor glycemic control, reduced quality of life, and increased diabetes-related healthcare expenditure. This study aimed at evaluating diabetic patients with depression to improve the quality of care delivered.
Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult type 2 diabetics at Al-Jemaih Diabetic Center, Dongola, in July– December 2019A standardized pretested questionnaire was used to collect data, and the depression subscale of the Patient Health Questionnaire was used to diagnose depression. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0.
Results: Out of the 407 participants, 282 (69.3%) were females, and more than half were aged between 40 and 59 years. The prevalence of depression among type 2 diabetic patients was 35.6%, ranging from mild (24.3%) to moderate (7.4%), moderately severe (2.2%), and severe depression (1.7%). The risk factors associated with depression in type 2 diabetes were: combining antidiabetic therapy, long duration of diabetes, family history of psychiatric illness, diabetes-related complications, poor glycemic control, and lack of regular exercise.
Conclusion: More than a third of type 2 diabetics have depression. Screening diabetic patients for depression, establishing a psychiatric unit at the diabetic center, and community-based studies are recommended.