Clinical Summary

Younger Age at Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Higher Risk of Depression

Vinod Rane, BS Pharm | Disclosures

Takeaway

Younger age at type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress as well as lower levels of self-compassion.

Findings emphasise the need for clinical vigilance and the availability of age-appropriate psychosocial support to improve the psychological well-being of younger adults with T2D.

This study included 706 participants (age 18-74 years) using data from the Chronotype of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Effect on Glycaemic Control (2017-2020).
Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research and others.

Of 706 participants, 64 (9.1%), 422 (59.8%), and 220 (31.2%) were diagnosed with T2D at the age of <40 years, between 40 and 59 years, and ≥60 years, respectively.
Younger age at diagnosis was significantly associated with (adjusted β; 95% CI):
- higher levels of:
  - depressive symptoms (−0.18; −0.25 to −0.10); and
  - diabetes-specific distress (−0.03; −0.04 to −0.02).
- lower levels of self-compassion (0.01; 0.00 to 0.02; P<0.01 for all).
Diabetes duration modified the association between younger age at T2D diagnosis and diabetes-specific distress (P<0.05).
The association of younger age at T2D diagnosis with depressive symptoms and self-compassion was not modified by diabetes duration.