Health-related quality of life, medical resource use and physical function in patients with diabetes mellitus and depression: A cross-sectional analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: Patients with either diabetes (DM) or depression (DP) are prone to developing other diseases and require more medical resources than do the general population. This study aimed to examine health-related quality of life, medical resource use, and physical function of patients with both diabetes mellitus and depression, and the magnitude of effects among patients with different combinations of comorbid diseases.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2009 to 2014. Total 16,159 patients were studied and classified into one of 4 groups: both DM and DP(DM+/DP+), DM+/without DP(DP-), without DM (DM-)/DP+, and DM-/DP-, according to the perceived score in Patient Health Questionnaire and diabetes questionnaire in NHANES. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), medical resource use, and physical function were measured as outcomes of interests. Multivariate logistic regression models were used.

Results: Compared with DM-/DP- patients, the DM+/DP+ (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.59; 95 % CI: 1.77-3.80) and DM-/DP+ (AOR: 2.44; 95 % CI: 1.94-3.06) had greater likely to have worse health. In addition, the DM+/DP+ (AOR: 5.40; 95 % CI: 1.30-22.41) and DM+/DP- (AOR: 2.49; 95 % CI: 1.91-3.25) were more likely to have medical visits, and worse physical function.

Conclusions: This study found that both depression and diabetes mellitus worsen HRQoL, increase medical resource use, and decrease physical function. Depression status should be considered by clinicians treating diabetes mellitus patients in order to improve their HRQoL, reduce medical resource use, and improve physical function.

Keywords: Depression; Diabetes; Health-related quality of life; Medical resource use; NHANES; Physical function.