Screening for Depression in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is one of the most frequent chronic metabolic diseases in childhood and adolescence. Depression is common among adolescents and its occurrence is higher in people with diabetes mellitus. Objectives The aim of the study is to detect depression disorder among adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and determine the risk factors and relation to the glycemic control. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Patients were recruited from the outpatient diabetes specialized clinic, pediatric hospital at Ain Shams University. Patients were subjected to: (1) an interview Pre structured questionnaire which included the following: Personal history, socio economic level, medical history: Duration of diabetes, frequency of hospital admission, presence of diabetic complication, BMI and HbA1C measurement at time of study. (2) Psychiatric screening for the major depressive disorders by using the Arabic version of PHQ-A "modified PHQ-9 for adolescents". (3) Essential examination & investigations to detect presence of diabetic complications. Results The current study reveals that 89% of the patients have depression, while 11% of them don't have. Additionally; there is a statistically significant relationship between the depression score and age, sex, socioeconomic level, HbA1c as well as obesity. Conclusions Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for depression specially those with poor diabetic control.