Frequency of depression and anxiety in patients attending a diabetes clinic.

BACKGROUND: Depression is very common among people with type-2 diabetes and is associated with poor treatment compliance and outcome. This study was done to see the frequency of depression in patients with established type-2 diabetes attending a diabetes clinic in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with chronic type-2 diabetes were included in this cross sectional study, excluding type-1 diabetics, patients with severe co-morbid illness with type-2 diabetes and patients with some psychiatric illness. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess depression and anxiety in these patients. RESULTS: Almost 50% of patients were found to have anxiety and depression in our study. Female gender, lack of education and housewives were found to be ffected'more -hile duration of diabetes, treatment and control of diabetes have little effect on anxiety and depression in patients with chronic type-2 diabetes patients. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic type-2 diabetes and clinicians must screen regularly for better care of these patients.