Comparative study of various socio-demographic variables in patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without depressive disorder: a brief report

Background: Group of common metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM) share hyperglycaemia as phenotype. When diabetes co-occurs with depression, adverse bidirectional relationship is seen which increases the burden of both illnesses. This affects patient’s health, functioning, and quality of life. This relationship also results in increased mortality as compared to those with depression or DM alone. Aims: To determine and compare various socio-demographic factors of cases having type 2 DM with or without co-morbid depressive disorder and to find the prevalence of depressive disorder in these cases. Material and methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was done at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar after permission from ethics committee in which consecutive 50 cases were selected who were diagnosed cases of type 2 DM and were interviewed to find if they fulfilled the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) criteria for depressive disorder. Fifty consecutive controls were taken for the comparison of social-demographic variables between the cases and controls. Results: In our study sample, 54% of the subjects were males and 46% were females. Mean age of the cases was 49.22 (±7.33) years. Prevalence of depressive disorder among the cases having type 2 DM was found to be 32%. Depressive disorder was higher in cases with age >50 years (36.36%), female gender (34.78%), rural background (40.62%), unmarried/ separated subjects (50%), joint family structure (36.36%), lower education (38.70%), unemployment/ unskilled/ retired/ housewife occupants (39.28%), and lower/ lower middle socioeconomic status (42.42%). Conclusion: It is clear from our study that those who are already marginalised in the society are more prone to develop depressive disorder when they are suffering from a chronic condition such as DM. Association of DM with various co-morbid emotional disorders is extremely important for the formulation of long term strategies and management of both these chronic disorders.