Previous studies have already indicated that depression and diabetes could be a deadly combination in young and middle-aged patient groups.

Now, University of Washington researchers have reason to believe that depression is associated with a higher death rate from all causes in elderly diabetics. Such were their findings from a two-year study period of Medicare beneficiaries.

The study tracked 10,704 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who were enrolled in a disease management program in Florida. They were surveyed at the start of the study with a health assessment questionnaire.

The research team found that patients with both diabetes and depression had an increased risk of about 36 percent to 38 percent of dying from any cause during the two-year follow-up. Participants with a physician diagnosis of depression were significantly younger than their cohorts, more likely to be female, had more severe medical illness, were less likely to be African-American, and more likely to be Hispanic.

These variables were controlled for in the analysis of increased risk. A total of 12.1 percent of participants who had both disorders died during that period. Among those without depression, 10.4 percent died.

Suffice to say that mental health is of prime importance. Depression can be deadly even outside of the diabetes patient groups.

Findings are published in the October 2008 issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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