M. Ardhanaari1 , Prashant Jain2 , N. Ashweeja3 , G. Srinivasagopalan4 , N. R.Nappinnai5
BACKGROUND Depression is one of the most under diagnosed or misdiagnosed comorbid psychiatric disorder found among chronic diabetes mellitus patients. Presence of depression significantly alters the life style and also worsens the prognosis of diabetes mellitus in patients. Early detection and intervention of the underlying depression helps in improving lifestyle and over all prognoses of the patients along with prevention of contemplation or suicides among them. We wanted to determine the prevalence of depression among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending General Medicine Outpatient Department. METHODS This study was conducted in Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Enathur, Kancheepuram, from December 2019 to February 2020. It is a cross sectional study. A total of 60 patients, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus were screened for depression using Hamilton-Depression scale. RESULTS Most common symptoms expressed by the patients were middle insomnia, anxiety somatic complaints along with suicidal thoughts and death wishes. 60% of the study population were diagnosed with depression of varying severities ranging from mild, moderate to severe. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a significant association between depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Though more than half of the study population was presenting with major depressive symptoms it was not previously diagnosed with depression. Since majority of the patients complained of suicidal thoughts and death, it was referred to psychiatry department for further management and treatment of depression.
