Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Depressive symptoms in adults with diabetes are influenced by sociodemographic status, health-related behaviors, and comorbid diseases. This study aimed to examine the factors related to depressive symptoms in Korean adults with diabetes, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 2014, 2016, and 2018. A total of 1529 Korean adults with diabetes were selected as subjects for the analysis. The age group of the participants was 19–80 years, with a mean age of 63.34 ± 0.68 years. The depressive symptoms and severity were assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used by applying a complex sample analysis method. The findings showed that 9.6% of Korean adults with diabetes exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms, which gradually decreased during 2014–2018. The most significant independent factors of depressive symptoms were living without a spouse, unemployment, low household income, fair or poor subjective health conditions, high perceived stress, a diabetes duration of over 20 years, and stroke. In females, living without a spouse, low household income, poor subjective health condition, high perceived stress, stroke, and coronary heart disease were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. In males, living without a spouse, unemployment, poor subjective health condition, high perceived stress, and hypertension were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of regular screening for depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes as the prevalence of depressive symptoms in people with diabetes may be higher than those in the general population. Future studies should also examine the development and effectiveness of psychosocial intervention programs to decrease depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes, considering cost-effective and time-saving approaches.