Comorbid Diabetes And Depression Impacts Diabetic, Cognitive And Affective Outcomes Among Mexican Americans

Diabetes in Mexican Americans is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Older Mexican Americans experience higher rates of depression than other groups and are especially susceptible to comorbid diabetes and depression. The Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) study, which utilizes a community based participatory approach designed to understand factors related to aging health among Hispanics, was used to examine health risks associated with co-morbid depressed, diabetic individuals. Data was analyzed from 268 participants (52 men & 216 women). Each participant underwent an interview ( medical history and health behaviors), psychological/neuropsychological assessment (e.g. depression and anxiety screen), blood draw, and medical examination. Depression was assessed via the Geriatric Depression Scale. Anxiety was assessed via the Beck Anxiety Inventory. A variable of diabetes (DM) – depression (Dep) comorbidity was generated. Comorbid DM-Dep was associated with significantly elevated glucose and HbA1c and trend towards elevated BMI and waist circumference. Comorbid DM-Dep was associated with significantly elevated endorsement of depression and anxiety global and factor scores. The presence of concomitant depression in elderly diabetic Mexican Americans was associated with a significantly increased risk for mild cognitive impairment. The findings of the current study have major implications for the clinical setting, demonstrating the need for health care professionals to carefully evaluate and not to underestimate the strength of the relationship between depression and diabetes during treatment.AG039389