Relationships between depression and diet control and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic outpatients at Phuttasothorn Hospital Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine the association between depression and diet control as well as the glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The subjects were type 2 diabetic patients (n=225) who received treatment at Phuttasothorn Hospital, Chachoengsao Province. Blood sugar level, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference were measured, and the depression test questionnaire and the diet control behavior report were completed. The relationships between depression and diet control, and depression and glycemic control were evaluated. The results showed that the prevalence of depression in type 2 diabetic patients was 18.2%. There were no significant differences between the depression and non-depression groups in the following factors; gender, age, year of diabetes, medication, body mass index, and energy intake. However, the result showed that depression was associated with poor diet control (Z = 9.014, p = 0.01). It also related with elevated HbA1c level (Z = 9.322, p = 0.009). This study illustrated that depression might be one of the important factors that influences self-care behavior of type 2 diabetic patients. It might affect both a decrease in adherence of diet control and an increase in blood sugar level. Thus, depression screening should be implemented for helping diabetic patients to control their blood sugar level and increase their quality of life.