Every seventh diabetic has depression

Diabetes is often associated with great psychosocial stress and depression

03/10/2013

Diabetes can now be counted among the major common diseases. Some 83 million people are affected by the metabolic disease in OECD countries. An international study revealed that one in seven diabetics suffers from depression as well as health complaints. Thus, sufferers and their loved ones often feel exposed to a large psychosocial burden due to the disease.

Diabetes puts a strain on body and soul
Currently, the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) is taking place, with experts on the study carried out in 17 countries and four continents „Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs 2“ (DAWN 2) discuss. A total of 15,438 people - 8,596 patients, 2,057 relatives and 4,785 practitioners - participated in this hitherto most comprehensive scientific evaluation of the psychosocial burden on diabetic patients and their relatives. The result of the study: Every second diabetic feels the metabolic disease as a major burden, every seventh sufferers therefore suffer from depression.

Fewer than half of those affected attend special diabetes training sessions. Many also do not reach the target blood sugar - despite new drugs and therapies. In addition, there is a lack of sufficient public support in many countries. Fortunately, however, 85 percent of the patients said they could call on help in the family. „The study clearly shows deficits in the management of chronic diseases, "explained Jens Kroeger, head of the Diabetes Center Hamburg Bergedorf and board member of the German Diabetes Aid, to the news agency „APA“. „Problems in the psychosocial support of the patients, in the general conditions as well as the interdisciplinary care must be remedied. "

Diabetes is usually associated with a heavy burden on the social environment of patients
Family members of patients also suffer from the disease. More than a third of respondents said that they find the condition a heavy burden. Almost every second member of the family has negative effects on their emotional state.

The study shows that one in three people does not know how to support their loved ones. At the same time, however, 40 percent of relatives would like to be more involved in diabetes care. Concern about possible hypoglycaemia affects two-thirds of relatives. Only 23.1 percent of relatives currently participate in special training programs.

„In view of these results, the health policy goal in diabetes management must be to promote patient-centered care, self-management and psychosocial support and to involve relatives more closely, "said Kröger.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
In diabetes, two different forms are distinguished. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent (IDDM), as the disease already occurs in childhood to adulthood and patients need to take insulin throughout their lives. Most likely, an autoimmune antibody process triggers type 1 diabetes mellitus, in which the immune system of the body releases the β -Cells of the pancreas attacks and destroys.

Much more common than type 1, however, is type 2 diabetes. About 90 percent of diabetics suffer from this form of metabolic disease, which is mainly caused by a lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. While in the past it was mainly the elderly that were affected by type 2 diabetes, the condition is now developing to a worrying extent in children as well. (Ag)

Picture: sokaeiko