Do age and oral anti-diabetic medication increase the risk of depression in diabetics?

This study examined whether age and the type of anti-diabetic treatment are associated with a higher risk of depression.

Depression is known to be higher in patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Depression in diabetic patients can result in poorer management of blood glucose levels. Certain factors such as age and type of treatment may increase the risk of depression. Identifying diabetic patients that have a higher risk of developing depression will allow those patients to be treated earlier. It is not known whether middle aged or elderly diabetics have a higher risk of depression. It is also not known whether patients being treated for diabetes have a higher risk of depression.

This study aimed to determine whether diabetics using oral antidiabetic agents or insulin have a higher risk of depression. This study also aimed to determine whether middle-aged or elderly diabetics have a higher risk of depression.

This study involved 21845 participants. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on age. 18948 of participants were middle-aged (40-47 years) and 2897 of participants were older (70-72 years). The level of depression and history of anti-depressants were recorded for each participant. 353 participants reported being diabetic. These participants were untreated or treated (taking oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin).

Middle-aged diabetics had a 96% higher risk of having depression in comparison to non-diabetic participants. Diabetics using oral anti-diabetic medications were 3 times more likely to have depression. Unmedicated diabetics and diabetics using insulin did not have a higher risk of depression.

This study concluded that diabetic patients in their forties using oral anti-diabetic medications have a higher risk of depression.

A history of depression and diabetes was based on patient-self reporting, which could affect the actual prevalence of both conditions. 

Consult your physician regarding the support options available if you suffer from depression.