Symptoms of anxiety and depression are independently associated with impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes

Abstract

<p> </p> <p>OBJECTIVE </p> <p>We tested the hypothesis that impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is independently associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in type 1 diabetes.</p> <p>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS</p> <p>Cross-sectional observational study in 950 adults with type 1 diabetes. Associations were examined using multiple regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. </p> <p>RESULTS</p> <p>Prevalence for probable anxiety, depression and IAH were 9.4%, 9.8%, and 22.6%, respectively. When included in separate regression models, both depression and anxiety were independently associated with increased odds of IAH and robust to adjustment, OR 3.64(95% CI 2.19–6.04), and OR 2.46(95% CI 1.46–4.14) respectively. Further analysis demonstrated a dose-response relationship between increased severity of probable mental disorder and increased odds of having IAH (p<0.001). </p> <p>CONCLUSIONS </p> <p>The robust independent relationship between probable anxiety and depression with IAH demonstrates the need for routine psychological assessment and management of people with type 1 diabetes and IAH. </p>