Prevalence of depression among diabetic patients attending outpatient and inpatient

Diabetes mellitus is a collection of metabolic illnesses characterised by persistent hyperglycemia, resulting in consequences affecting several organ systems. Depression is a common and impactful psychosocial condition in diabetic patients, further hindering glycemic control and negatively affecting overall health outcomes. The present study investigated the depression prevalence among diabetes mellitus patients in outpatient treatment and its impact on diabetes management. This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 18 months. A sample of 125 diabetes mellitus patients was selected based on a 9% prevalence rate with a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval. Depression was evaluated via the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Screening Tool. Clinical evaluation comprised HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and postprandial glucose measurements. Statistical analysis was conducted utilising SPSS software. The study determined that 29.6% of diabetic patients were diagnosed with depression, with varying degrees of severity. Depression was associated with poorer glycemic control, evidenced by significantly higher levels of HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and postprandial glucose. Patients with depression also had a higher prevalence of diabetes-related complications, such as nephropathy and neuropathy. The study concluded that depression is prevalent among patients with diabetes and has a significant impact on diabetes management. The practical value of this study is that integrated care, including screening and treatment of mental disorders, is crucial to the improvement of the outcomes of diabetes patients