In Some, Depression Leads to Diabetes
Behavior and biological factors seem to play a role  (HealthDay News) -- The factors that seem to contribute to diabetes already include genetics as well as being overweight and not exercising. But depression may need to be added to that list.
"Older adults who report high levels of depressive symptoms are more likely to develop diabetes over time than older adults who have lower depressive symptoms," said Mercedes R. Carnethon, assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University .
"We need to carefully evaluate older adults for depressive symptoms, and they need to be taken seriously because of the potential impact," she told HealthDay .
Carnethon, who led a team that researched the issue, said there may be several reasons why there seems to be a link.
"One is behavioral," she said. "Individuals who are depressed may be less likely to engage in healthy physical activities that would protect against the development of diabetes. They may be less likely to sleep well, have healthy diets, all of which are risk factors for developing diabetes."
There could also be biological factors: such things as higher levels of blood markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, which has been linked to both diabetes and depression, Carnethon said.
In the study, the researchers collected data on almost 4,700 people 65 and older who were not diabetic when the study began.
Participants were evaluated for symptoms of depression linked to changes in mood, irritability, calorie intake, concentration and sleep. The researchers scored symptoms of depression on a scale of zero to 30, with scores of eight or higher indicating high levels of symptoms.
When the study began, the average symptom score was 4.5; one-fifth of the people had a score of eight or higher.
During the 10 years of follow-up, half of the participants saw their scores increase by at least five points. In all, 234 study participants developed diabetes. The rate of diabetes was higher among those with a score of eight or more on the depression scale than it was among those with scores below eight, Carnethon's team found.
The American Diabetes Association recommends steps people can take to lower their risk of developing diabetes:
- Eat well.
- Go for lots of vegetables and fruits. Try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety. And focus on non-starchy vegetables (spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans).
- Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products.
- Include dried beans (kidney or pinto) and lentils in meals.
- Eat fish two to three times a week.
- Choose lean meats. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
- Choose non-fat dairy products.
- Drink water and calorie-free "diet" drinks.
- Watch portion sizes.
- Exercise as much as possible. It's a natural mood-booster, and every step counts. Start with 10 minutes a day, gradually adding time until you're exercising at least 30 minutes a day.
On the Web
To learn m ore about depression and diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association.
SOURCES:
HealthDay News ; Mercedes R. Carnethon, Ph.D., assistant professor of preventive medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago; April 23, 2007, Archives of Internal Medicine ; American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org); National Institute of Mental Health (http://www.nimh.nih.gov)
Author:
Anne Thompson
Publication Date:
April 30, 2008
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