Depression and Associated Risk Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Cross Sectional Study on a Convenience Sample from the Diabetic Center, Khamis Mushait; Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Studies had confirmed that diabetic patients have a greater risk for developing depression. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence and predictors of depression among type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study at the Diabetic Center, Armed Forces Hospital-Southern Region (AFHSR), Khamis Mushait was conducted in the period from March to June 2017. The study includes a convenience sample of type 2 diabetic patients. Self-administered questionnaires were utilized. It consists of personal characteristics, diabetes-related information’s, and the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Proper statistical analyses were done to assess the significance of the correlates with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The study included 350 diabetic patients out of 410 with a response rate of 85.4%. Their age ranged between 28 and 100 years with a mean ±SD of 61.4±13 years. The prevalence of depression among them was 36.6%. Logistic regression revealed that patients older than 50 years were at lower risk for developing depression as compared to those aged between 28 and 40 years OR and 95% CI were 0.21 (0.08–0.57), 0.30 (0.12–0.78) and 0.33 (0.12–0.91) for patients in the age groups 51–60, 61–70 and > 70 years, respectively. Diabetic patients with thyroid dysfunction, neuropathy, those treated with insulin, and noncompliant patients were at double risk for developing depression compared to their counterparts (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.20–4.27, p = 0.012); (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.22–4.53, p = 0.011); (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.08–3.40, p = 0.026); (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.01–4.53, p = 0.047) respectively. CONCLUSION: Almost one third of type 2 diabetic patients were depressed. Younger patients, having comorbid thyroid disorders or neuropathy, those treated with insulin and noncompliant patients were at higher risk for developing depression. Proper screening and treatment of depression is a crucial part of the health care management of diabetic people.