Insulin mediated improvement in glycemic control in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus can improve depressive symptoms and does not seem to impair health-related quality of life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is very prevalent among the elderly. Insulin therapy is often required for glycemic control. The association of starting this therapy with depressive symptoms as well the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unknown among the elderly patients. AIMS: Evaluate the association of starting insulin therapy depressive symptoms as well with HRQoL of elderly people with T2D. METHODS: 36 T2D participants (67.9 % females, age 66.5 years ± 5.1) were recruited, 26 of whom completed the follow-up. Generic (Short-Form 36 Health Survey - SF-36) and specific (Problem Areas in Diabetes - PAID) HRQoL questionnaires, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), clinical, laboratorial and socio-demographic data were recorded on baseline and 6 months after the beginning of insulin treatment. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the BDI score after the use of insulin, which means an improvement in depressive symptoms (Before/After: median – 10.5 / 7; p = 0008). There were no statistically significant differences in HRQoL scores between the two time periods There was also a reduction in HbA1c (Before/After: median – 8.7/7.9). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in: BMI (28.1/28.3); Abdominal circumference:(100.5/99.5) and chronic complications status. CONCLUSION: Insulin therapy in elderly people with type 2 diabetes can lead to an improvement of depressive symptoms and does not seem to affect negatively HRQoL of the participants.