Depression and poor diabetes control

Depression may make it harder for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels in check. Researchers from America analysed records from 11,525 mostly male subjects treated for type 2 diabetes between 1997 and 2006. At the outset, 6 percent also had a diagnosis of depression. On an average, the group consistently showed a higher haemoglobin A1C level - a standard measure of long-term blood sugar control, over the years. Follow-up of the diabetics over a decade revealed that those diagnosed with depression consistently had a higher average hemoglobin A1C level. The findings are concerning, in part, because studies have found that diabetics have a higher risk of depression than non-diabetics. It's estimated that about 30 percent of people with diabetes also suffer from depression at some point and depression is a major and important comorbidity in people with type II diabetes. The difference between groups was small - a gap of 0.13 percent overall - but for any one person, even a slightly higher haemoglobin A1C, sustained over time, could raise the risk of diabetic complications. The reasons for the above findings are not clear, but one possibility is that dealing with depression makes it harder for diabetics to manage their blood sugar with lifestyle measures and medication.

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