Diabetes affects 422 million people around the globe, according to the World Health Organization. Additionally, the CDC notes that people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than those who do not have the disease. That combination can be deadly as patients with both conditions have a greater risk of developing serious diabetes-related health complications. As a result, successfully treating depression could mean better health outcomes for many millions of people.
In fact, the risks of developing complications – from cardiovascular disease to podiatric and ocular problems – can be ameliorated if individuals with diabetes and depression are prescribed antidepressants and adhere to their dosing plan, according to recent research. The team used Taiwan’s universal health insurance database to follow more than 36,000 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who also had depression. They analyzed their antidepressant treatment adherence over a 6-month-period, classifying the groups by no use, poor use, partial use, and regular use of medications.
Regular use was associated with an 8% decreased risk for large coronary artery complications and a 14% lower risk for all-cause mortality.
The type of antidepressant prescribed also made a difference. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were found to be more effective than tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants.
The researchers concluded that clinicians should encourage individuals with diabetes and depression to adhere to their antidepressant regimens to lessen their risks of developing serious health complications.
Additional reporting by Rosemary Hope
