Association Between Depression, Diabetes Self-Care Activity and Glycemic Control in an Arab Population with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE: Poor self-care behavior and depression are associated with worse glycemic control, but the relationship between these variables is poorly reported. The present study aimed to describe self-care behaviors and explore the association between depression, self-care and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes in an Arab population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study recruited 446 patients with type-2 diabetes from an outpatient clinic in Kuwait and completed assessments of diabetes self-care using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire and depression using the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the associations between depression, self-care behaviors and glycemic control. RESULTS: Self-care behaviors were highest for medication taking (92.9%), an average for foot care (61.4%), blood glucose testing (60%) and healthy diet (55.7%), and lowest for exercise (27.1%). Depression, poor self-care activities and poor HbA1c levels were inter-correlated in univariate analysis (p< 0.03). In regression analysis, following healthful eating (B= −0.27, p< 0.001), general eating plan (B= −0.21, p= 0.01), more space carbohydrates evenly throughout the day (B= - 0.17, p= 0.03) and exercise at least 30 minutes (B= −0.17, p= 0.02) behaviors were associated with better HbA1c levels. However, depression was associated with poor scores of following a general eating plan (B= −0.20, p= 0.03), space carbohydrates evenly throughout the day (B= −0.21, p= 0.05), and exercising at least 30 minutes (B= −0.24, p= 0.03) behaviors. Depression scores were also associated with poor HbA1c levels (B= 0.32, p= 0.03). However, this association no longer persists after mutual adjustment with following a healthy diet (B= 0.14, p= 0.38) and exercise (B = 0.26, p = 0.08) behaviors. CONCLUSION: Self-care activity was less than fifty percent in people with type 2 diabetes and higher activity was associated with better glycemic control. However, depression adversely affects self-care behaviors. To maintain and achieve glycemic control, diabetes educators might motivate people with type 2 diabetes to enhance their self-care activities, particularly those with depression symptoms and poor compliance with self-care activities.