Abstract
Background
Improvement in quality of life is the ultimate goal of all heath interventions and presence of diabetes itself impairs the quality of life of patients leading to poor physical and mental well being.Furthermore individuals diagnosed with depression and Diabetes have an additional worse outcome.
Objectives
The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of depression and impairment of quality of life in young patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research design and Methods
This analytical cross sectional study consisted of 140 subjects with type 2 diabetes aged between 18 and 35 years attending Diabetes clinic at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Prevalence of depression and dimensions of quality of life were assessed separately using self administered validated questionnaires.
Results
Out of total study subjects, females constituted 70.8% and mean age was 30 years.Substantial proportion of young adults( 55.1%) were diagnosed to have depression. Physical function as well as physical health was significantly impaired in the depressed group compared to those of non depressed group with p value <0.0001 and < 0.001 respectively. Moreover both energy levels and social functions were significantly decreased in those with depression with p values < 0.0001 for both dimensions.However there were no significant group differences in total pain or emotional problems experienced in 2 groups.Furthermore impaired physical functioning contributed to inadequate glycemic control with significantly higher FBS levels.( P value 0.04 )
Conclusions
Depression in young patients with type2 diabetes has a significant negative impact on most components of quality of life.Hence this highlights the importance of identification and proper treatment of depression to prevent deterioration of quality of life.