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Self-management improved depressive symptoms related to diabetes
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A cognitive behavioral program designed to reduce depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress in patients with diabetes and subclinical depression was more effective than standard diabetes education alone, according to recent findings published in Diabetes Care.
Norbert Hermanns, PhD, of the Research Institute Diabetes, Academy Mergentheim in Germany, and colleagues evaluated 214 patients (mean age, 43.3 year) with diabetes to determine the effect of a self-management-oriented group program (DIAMOS group [Diabetes Motivation Strengthening]; n=106) compared with standard diabetes education (control group; n=108).
Norbert Hermanns
The DIAMOS program was delivered to small groups by certified psychologists for five 90-minute lessons using cognitive behavioral interventions. The program aimed to integrate diabetes into regular life by reducing diabetes-related distress and to establish better coping abilities.
Thirty-three participants were lost to follow-up. Outcomes of the study included depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, well-being, self-care behavior, diabetes acceptance, diabetes treatment satisfaction, HbA1c level and subclinical inflammation.
There was a significantly greater reduction of depressive symptoms in the DIAMOS group compared with the control group. More participants from the control group (22.7%) met criteria for major depression at follow-up compared with the DIAMOS group (10.8%; P=.03), leading to a 37% reduction of major depression among the DIAMOS group (P=.028).
Significant reductions in diabetes-related distress were also reported by the DIAMOS group. No significant differences in well-being, diabetes treatment satisfaction or acceptance of diabetes were reported between the two groups
“Elevated depressive symptoms are rather common in people with diabetes,” Hermanns told Endocrine Today. “Prognosis of diabetes and quality of life is impaired in people with diabetes and comorbid elevated depressive symptoms. This intervention program (DIAMOS) was able to reduce depressive symptoms and diabetes related distress significantly. Identification of people with diabetes and elevated depressive symptoms and intervention in order to reduce depression has the potential to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent major depression in diabetes in clinical diabetes care.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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