Risk factors of depression in elderly diabetic patients in the community

  Objective  To explore risk factors of depression among the elderly diabetic patients in the community.

  Methods  All elderly diabetic patients (n=714) from the baseline survey of community-based Healthy Aging Evaluation Longitudinal Study in China (HAELS) were included, information including socio-demographic variables, behavior and lifestyles, food intake, treatment for diabetes and prevalence of other disease was collected, physical examination was conducted, and depression status was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models were run to analyze the potential risk factors.

  Results  Both multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models showed, high education level, married marriage status, self-reported high wealth rank and adherence to physical exercise were all protective factors; while sleep disorder and insulin treatment were all risk factors, with OR (95%CI) of 3.08 (2.10–4.51) and 1.66 (1.09–2.52), respectively.

  Conclusion  The risk factors of depression in diabetic patients were very complicated, including education level, marital status, self-reported wealth rank, adherence to physical exercise, sleep disorder and insulin treatment.