Association between symptoms of depression, diabetes complications and vascular risk factors in four European cohorts of individuals with type 1 diabetes – InterDiane Consortium

Abstract

AimsTo investigate the association between depressive symptomatology and health markers in type 1 diabetes. MethodsFour countries from the InterDiane Consortium had adopted the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study protocol, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Associations between depression symptomatology, diabetes complications (diabetic nephropathy, proliferative retinopathy, major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE]) and vascular risk factors (metabolic syndrome, body mass index, glycaemic control) were investigated. ResultsIn a sample of 1046 participants (Croatia n = 99; Finland n = 314; Latvia n = 315; Lithuania n = 318), 13.4% displayed symptoms of depression (BDI score ≥ 16) with no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of depression among the cohorts. The highest rates of diabetic nephropathy (37.1%) and proliferative retinopathy (36.3%) were observed in Lithuania. The rates of MACE and metabolic syndrome were highest in Finland. In joint analyses, individuals exhibiting depression symptomatology had higher HbA1c (79 vs. 72 mmol/mol, p < 0.001) and higher triglyceride concentration (1.67 vs. 1.28 mmol/l, p < 0.001), than those without. In the multivariable model, BDI score was positively associated with the presence of diabetic nephropathy, proliferative retinopathy, MACE, and metabolic syndrome and its triglyceride component. Moreover, BDI score was positively associated with the number of metabolic syndrome components, triglyceride concentration, and HbA1c. ConclusionsComorbid depression should be considered a relevant factor explaining metabolic problems and vascular outcomes. Causality cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional study.