RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Relationship of Depression and Diabetes Self-Care, Medication Adherence, and Preventive Care
JF Diabetes Care
JO Diabetes Care
FD American Diabetes Association
SP 2154
OP 2160
DO 10.2337/diacare.27.9.2154
VO 27
IS 9
A1 Lin, Elizabeth H.B.
A1 Katon, Wayne
A1 Von Korff, Michael
A1 Rutter, Carolyn
A1 Simon, Greg E.
A1 Oliver, Malia
A1 Ciechanowski, Paul
A1 Ludman, Evette J.
A1 Bush, Terry
A1 Young, Bessie
YR 2004
UL http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/9/2154.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE—We assessed whether diabetes self-care, medication adherence, and use of preventive services were associated with depressive illness.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In a large health maintenance organization, 4,463 patients with diabetes completed a questionnaire assessing self-care, diabetes monitoring, and depression. Automated diagnostic, laboratory, and pharmacy data were used to assess glycemic control, medication adherence, and preventive services.RESULTS—This predominantly type 2 diabetic population had a mean HbA1c level of 7.8 ± 1.6%. Three-quarters of the patients received hypoglycemic agents (oral or insulin) and reported at least weekly self-monitoring of glucose and foot checks. The mean number of HbA1c tests was 2.2 ± 1.3 per year and was only slightly higher among patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Almost one-half (48.9%) had a BMI >30 kg/m2, and 47.8% of patients exercised once a week or less. Pharmacy refill data showed a 19.5% nonadherence rate to oral hypoglycemic medicines (mean 67.4 ± 74.1 days) in the prior year. Major depression was associated with less physical activity, unhealthy diet, and lower adherence to oral hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, and lipid-lowering medications. In contrast, preventive care of diabetes, including home-glucose tests, foot checks, screening for microalbuminuria, and retinopathy was similar among depressed and nondepressed patients.CONCLUSIONS—In a primary care population, diabetes self-care was suboptimal across a continuum from home-based activities, such as healthy eating, exercise, and medication adherence, to use of preventive care. Major depression was mainly associated with patient-initiated behaviors that are difficult to maintain (e.g., exercise, diet, medication adherence) but not with preventive services for diabetes.