Depression increased risk for mortality in men with diabetes

Increased mortality from depression differed by ethnicity and persistent recognition of depression, according to the findings from a new study.

Researchers from Charleston, SC analyzed data from 14,500 male veterans with type 2 diabetes. They evaluated the effect of depression on risk for death, and examined whether that risk differs by race/ethnicity and whether persistent recognition is linked to decreased mortality.

During a 10-year period, 15.9% of patients died. Deaths occurred in 20.1% of patients with diabetes and comorbid depression, and in 15.6% of patients with diabetes only, according to the study. The risk for mortality was higher for patients with depression than patients without depression (HR=1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8). Mortality risk was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.57-1.11) for two or more clinic visits vs. three or more clinic visits (0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.89).

Whites had a higher mortality risk than blacks (1.60; 95% CI, 1.11-2.31) and others (1.78; 95% CI, 1.25-2.53).

“The findings suggest that older, white men with diabetes are at increased risk for dying if they have coexisting depression than men from ethnic minority groups,” the researchers wrote. “Another major contribution of this study is the finding that persistent recognition of depression is associated with decreased risk for death.” – by Christen Haigh

Diabetes Care. 2008;31:880-881.