The relationship between microvascular complications and depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who use insulin

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationshipbetween Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and its complicationswith the severity of depression.Methods: Eighty diabetics under the age of 65 usinginsulin were enrolled and clinical and biochemical datawere recorded. The severity of neuropathy was determinedby the “United Kingdom neuropathy screeningscore” (UKNS) whereas the severity of depression wasdetermined by the “Beck depression scale” (BDS). Nephropathyand retinopathy were assessed by the microalbumin-creatinine ratio in spot urine samples and by detailedexamination of the retina with an ophthalmoscope,respectively.Results: There were more patients who has high neuropathyseverity in the group with the highest Beck depressionscale score (p<0.001). In the correlation analyses,positive correlation was found between the severity ofdepression determined by the BDS and UKNS (r=0.231,p=0.039). No relationship was found between nephropathy,retinopathy and severity of depression.Conclusion: There was significant relationship betweenthe severity of neuropathy and that of depression. Hence,cases with a diagnosis of Type 2 DM require screening interms of neuropathy and the presence of depression. Appropriateapproach towards such conditions associatedwith each other may be crucial in the context of increasingthe quality of life. J Clin Exp Invest 2013; 4 (1): 34-39Key words: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; neuropathy, nephropathy; retinopathy; depression