Comorbidity of depression and type 2 diabetes in Egypt results from the International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression (INTERPRET-DD) study

Okasha, Tarek; Mostafa, Bassem Murad; Ibrahim, Islam; Abdelgawad, Ahmed Adel; Lloyd, Cathy E.; Sartorius, Norman and Elkholy, Hussien (2024). Comorbidity of depression and type 2 diabetes in Egypt results from the International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression (INTERPRET-DD) study. International Journal of Social Psychiatry (Early Access).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241228431

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and depression are serious common diseases, and the number of people with both conditions is rising steadily. Depression in people with diabetes mellitus results in poorer prognosis through different mechanisms. On the other hand, the presence of diabetes in individuals with depression increases functional impairment that is associated with depression.
Aims: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a diabetes clinic in Cairo, Egypt.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with diabetes type 2 attending a diabetes clinic in the endocrinology department in Ain Shams University Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews by trained psychiatrists and from patients’ records.
Results: The prevalence of depression among diabetic patients was 21.8% (95% CI [15.6%, 29.1%]). Depression was more common among younger age groups and those with a higher level of education. There was no significant difference between those with lifetime depression compared to those without depression regarding physical health complications.
Conclusions: The prevalence of depression among patients with type 2 diabetes is high. Given the impact of co-morbid diabetes and depression, diabetic patients should be routinely screened for the latter condition.