Treatment of Depressive Symptoms Does Not Improve Glycemic Control

Filed in archive Challenges , Research , Treatment on April 27, 2007

In older adults, depressive symptoms have been linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

It could also be that many diabetics are already depressed (probably due to their condition, restricted lifestyle, etc.) Then their depression may actually interfere with the patient's ability to efficiently regulate his/her blood sugar levels.

And then one might think that whennyou treat the depression, you also help regulate or improve the regulation of the diabetes.

However, according to a new report, improvements in depressive symptoms do not result to better control of glucose levels.

According to Dr. Richard S. Surwit from Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina told Reuters Health:

"The results were "somewhat of a surprise". Thus far, the evidence of a link between depressive symptoms and glycemic control has been modest at best, and our current findings raise further doubts about this hypothesized relationship."

Meaning, treatment of (non-clinical) depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes is not an effective strategy for glycemic control.

Find more details from the full report.