AACE2021-A-1079: Screening for Depression Among Patients with Diabetes in an Outpatient Diabetic Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Depression is a highly prevalent and severe medical condition with a lifetime occurrence, in the range of around 11% in economically low-income countries to 15% in high-income countries. In this study, we aimed to screen the depression level among patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 (age range 18-75yrs) patients with diabetes at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The depression level was measured using two psychological screening scales, the World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). In addition to screening the depression, demographic variables, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), diabetes-related complications, type of medications used for treatment were also collected. According to the WHO-9 screening scale, male patients, ≥ 40 yrs age group, patients on the insulin pump, having diabetes for ≥ 10 yrs and patients with microvascular complications showed a high level of depression compared to their counterparts. According to the PHQ-9 screening scale, unmarried patients and patients on insulin pump showed a high level of depression compared to their counterparts. The findings of the study could be of immense assistance to the healthcare systems, educational institutions, researchers, and government to develop evidence-based programs, policies, and guidelines towards increasing the knowledge and awareness about depression among diabetes so that early detection and management can be ensured to control the increasing burden of depression among patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia.