Symptoms of depression prospectively predict poorer self-care in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Aims To examine prospectively the association of depression symptoms with subsequent self‐care and medication adherence in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Two hundred and eight primary care patients with Type 2 diabetes completed the Harvard Department of Psychiatry/National Depression Screening Day Scale (HANDS) and the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities (SDSCA) at baseline and at follow‐up, an average of 9 months later. They also self‐reported medication adherence at baseline and at a follow‐up. Results Baseline HANDS scores ranged from 0 to 27, with a mean score of 5.15 ± 4.99. In separate linear regression models that adjusted for baseline self‐care, patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms at baseline reported significantly lower adherence to general diet recommendations and specific recommendations for consumption of fruits and vegetables and spacing of carbohydrates; less exercise; and poorer foot care at follow‐up (β ranging from −0.12 to −0.23; P