PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION IN DIABETIC POPULATION OF KARACHI

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression among the diabetics presented diabetic clinic and in-patient at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Medical Unit 3, Ward 7, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, over two months in 132 diabetic (type 1 and 2) patients. Information regarding Diabetes was taken through interview and Prime-MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess for depression. Patients having a score of 5 and above were considered depressed Results: 64.5% of diabetics were found out to be depressed. Of those who were depressed, 84.4% had a bad diabetic control over the last 3 months, 71.7% had gastrointestinal symptoms, 66% had diabetes for more than 10 years. Conclusion: Depression in known diabetics can be lethal so it's management, either supportive or with medications, should be started as soon as it is diagnosed. Also the factors which show a clear correlation with development of depression should be minimized as early as possible. Keywords: Diabetes, Depression and Prime-MD Patient Health Questionnaire