The Prevalence of Depression Among Diabetic Patients is Associated with Hemoglobin

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

Conference Title

American College of Sports Medicine - Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conference

Organization

American College of Sports Medicine

Location

Orlando, FL

Date of Presentation

5-29-2019

Journal Publication

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

ISSN

0195-9131

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000561202.21112.0a

Volume

51

Issue

6S

First Page

231

Abstract

More than 400 million adults have diabetes. Complications associated with diabetes poorly impact quality of life, including interactions between cardiovascular risk and depression. A diagnosis of diabetes associates with a three-fold increase in depression. The consequences of low Hb values on increased depression among healthy populations are well defined; however, isolating the relationship within a diabetic population requires further investigation. PURPOSE: To explore the effect of diabetes on hemoglobin levels (Hb) and depression in a diabetic population. METHODS: 2,206 hospital patients, age 15-98 years old were sampled; 14.6% had a diagnosis of diabetes. Independent-samples t-tests characterized the differences between diabetics (n=1,884) and non-diabetics (n=322). One-way ANOVA examined group differences between categorical Hb values, Chi-Square determined the relationship between diabetes and hemoglobin category, linear regression determined Hb levels among diabetics, and logistic regression analyses predicted depression outcomes based on Hb levels. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes were older (p<0.001) and had lower hemoglobin (p<0.001) and oximetry levels (p<0.001). Non-diabetic patients had lower international normalized ratio (p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), mean arterial pressure (p=0.015), and pulse pressure (p<0.001). Hb categories differed in age, oximetry, international normalized ratio, pulse, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure (p<0.001); groups differed for systolic blood pressure (p=0.013). Additionally, chi-squared analysis demonstrated lower hemoglobin levels associated with increased diagnosis of diabetes (p<0.001). Linear regression, controlling for age, predicted a decrease in Hb among diabetic patients (β=-0.460; p<0.001). Lastly, logistic regression determined with each additional g/dL of Hb, the odds of experiencing depression decreased by 31% (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes diminishes cardiovascular health, particularly Hb levels, and this predicts depression within this population. Physical activity should be a first-line intervention to improve quality of life in patients suffering from diabetes.

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