Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among diabetes mellitus patient

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with significant physical and psychosocial burden. Psychological morbidities such as depression, anxiety, and stress are common in diabetic patients and can adversely affect glycemic control and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and their associated factors among patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 patients with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary care hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured proforma. Psychological assessment was performed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Associations between sociodemographic/clinical factors and psychological morbidities were analyzed using Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 38.0%, 46.1%, and 28.1%, respectively. Anxiety was the most prevalent morbidity. Female gender, longer duration of diabetes (≥5 years), poor glycemic control (HbA1c >7%), and presence of diabetic complications were significantly associated with higher rates of psychological morbidity. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that female gender, poor glycemic control, longer duration, and complications were independent predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: Psychological morbidities are highly prevalent among patients with diabetes mellitus. Routine screening and early intervention for depression, anxiety, and stress should be integrated into diabetes care, especially for high-risk groups, to improve both mental health and glycemic outcomes.