[Comorbidity of diabetes mellitus and depression in the general population in Germany]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the comorbidity of diabetes and depression in the adult general population of Germany.

Methods: Data (n = 43 312) derived from the representative cross-sectional telephone survey "German Health Update (GEDA)". Information about diagnosed chronic somatic diseases including diabetes and diagnosed depression was available for residents in private households. Age- and sex-specific adjusted logistic regressions were used to examine the association between diabetes and depression.

Results: 12-month prevalences: diagnosed diabetes 7.4 %, diagnosed depression 6.7 %, comorbidity of both 0.8 %. An association of diabetes and depression was found in people < 50 years and in women aged 50 - 64 years. This association was dependent on the number of additional chronic diseases.

Conclusion: Comorbidity of diabetes and depression was quite rare. Yet according to our results every 10(th) adult with diagnosed diabetes gets a depression diagnosis and every 9(th) adult with diagnosed depression has known diabetes. Underestimation for men and older adults due to diagnostic bias is possible. The combination of diabetes and depression is relevant for medical care because of its health burden.