Diabetes Life Expectancy Prolonged When Depression is Treated

Diabetes Life Expectancy Prolonged When Depression is Treated
by: Roger Guzman, M.D.

Diabetes life expectancy is found longer for people who are found not susceptible to develop clinical depression. In fact researchers have found that those who have genes that make them have higher risk for depression do not live as long as the general population.

This is why psychiatrists have tried to improve the care of those who are anxious and depressed in primary care systems. They found that when the mental health care is integrated with the primary care, the outcomes are better.

Diabetes is common and increasing among those who have diabetes. The health consequences are serious. Depression is harder to treat when diabetes comes into play. It may even make the course of depression worse. When depressed, diabetics have poorer health outcomes.

For those with diabetes, it has been found that depression is linked to a higher death rate. About 36 to 38% are more likely to die when depression enters the picture. It makes sense because when people are depressed they usually do not take good care of themselves.

Those who are depressed are more likely to have unhealthy habits. They are more likely to overeat or smoke. Inflammatory markers in the body are caused by depression which increases the risk for insulin resistance, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The diabetics who are depressed are usually not compliant with the treatment regimen. There is also greater healthcare use and therefore, the cost is increased. It is therefore a major barrier in trying to improve the diabetes self management. And the diabetes life expectancy is not improved.

They are trying to overcome these barriers through problem solving therapy. What is it? Well, it is some sort of a short psychological intervention that helps recognize the problems, work out solutions and establish goals to help solve the challenges. Problem solving therapy has been known to be an effective treatment for depression.

A study reported in the Diabetes Care's issue claims that elderly people with diabetes live longer when treated for depression. The study followed elderly diabetic patients in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City for five years. Diabetics who received treatment for depression reduced the mortality rate more than the ones without diabetes.

Dr. Hillary Bogner who is the lead researcher and assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Practice said that depression is common among the diabetics. This plays a role in their not following the correct diet and not taking their medication as well.

The health problems most commonly treated are diabetes and depression. Earlier studies linked these two and which also increased premature death. This new study is the first known research that investigated the link between premature death and diabetes. The findings made the researchers come to the conclusion that there should be better care for diabetics that includes the management of depression.

The depressed diabetics with more resources for the treatment of depression were 50% less likely to die over the period of five years when compared to those who did not receive the treatment. So this problem solving therapy will help with improving the diabetes life expectancy.

Diabetes life expectancy that is prolonged is the goal of the candid debate on diabetes and depression but the odds are against it because depression is harder to treat when diabetes is present. In the same way it is harder to manage diabetes when the patient is depressed. So how do we go around this problem? This article will offer a solution. After so much speculation, the way to do it is revealed.

Keywords:
diabetes life expectancy, problem solving therapy, depression, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes

Please visit these sites for more diabetes help:

http://www.free-symptoms-of-diabetes-alert.com

http://www.free-symptoms-of-diabetes-alert.com/diabeteslifeexpectancy.html