Depression and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background : Frequency of mood disorders in patients with chronic diseases, especially diabetes and its effects on life quality are dramatically increasing. Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the relation between depression and quality of life in patients with diabetes. Patients and Methods : This is a cross sectional survey. Subjects were selected from 330 eligible people referred to the only diabetes clinic in Gorgan City during 6 months, using systematic random sampling. Beak Depression questionnaire and the brief questioner with 26 questions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to measure depression and quality of life, respectively. Data were analyzed through descriptive methods, Chi-square, Independent t test and linear regression model using SPSS16 ; moreover, P value < 0. 05 was considered as significant. Results: In total, 330 patients with diabetes (35. 5 % male and 64. 5 % women) were studied. The mean and standard deviation of their age and years involved with diabetes were 50.6 ± 9.0 and 5.4 ± 4.5 years, respectively. Range of age was 25-75 years, as well. The prevalence of depression in all patients with diabetes was 58. 2 % (124 mild, 56 medium, and 12 with severe depression). Hypertension was 13. 9 % more in diabetic patients with depression (P value < 0. 001) and physical activity in 24. 7 % of the cases was less with a meaningful difference (P value = 0. 01). The mean and standard deviation of quality of life in diabetic patients with and without depression was 50. 7 ± 14 and 60. 5 ± 13. 3, respectively that was significant in two groups (P < 0. 0001). Conclusions: The prevalence of depression is high in patients with diabetes and has a considerable impact on the consequences of diabetes and quality of life too.