Diabetics with major depression at increased risk of dementia--study
POSTED March 8, 2010 - 14:24 | POSTED BY Neharika Sabharwal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on March 8, 2010 - 15:15
Previous studies have indicated that the risk of Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and other types of cognitive problems are nearly 40 to 100 percent elevated in diabetics as opposed to non-diabetics.
Lead author of the study, Dr Wayne Katon of University of Washington (UW), professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences stated, "Diabetes alone has shown to be a risk factor for dementia, as has major depression by itself.
"We wanted to determine the effects of both conditions – diabetes and major depression--occurring together. Our analysis suggests that major depression more than doubles the risk of dementia in adults with diabetes.”
Link between diabetes, depression and dementia assessed
In a bid to understand the link between depression, diabetes, and dementia the researchers carried out a project as a part of the Pathways Epidemiological Follow-Up Study, which examines adults from the Group Health Cooperative's diabetes registry.
Diabetic patients were enrolled from nine clinics in western Washington State from 2000 to 2002 and tracked for a period of five years. Those diagnosed with dementia were left out from the study.
Outcome of the study
At the close of the study, the investigators noted that 163 of the 3,382 (4.8 percent) patients with only diabetes developed dementia while 36 of 455 (7.9 percent) diabetics with major depression exhibited cognitive decline.
The conclusion drawn by the researchers was that major depression plus diabetes increased the risk of dementia by 2.7 percent compared to diabetes alone.
In addition, the investigators observed that diabetes and major depression was more pronounced in females, singles, smokers, physically inactive, and those using insulin treatment given for diabetes complications and obesity.
Association between diabetes and dementia ambiguous
Researchers are unable to fathom the connection between diabetes and cognitive decline.
According to them, diabetes causes blood vessel problems, tissue damage from high blood sugar levels, and events of low blood sugar and insulin resistance.
It can affect heart rate, blood clotting, and inflammatory responses all of which increase the odds of developing dementia.
Until more evidence into the exact mechanism behind diabetes, depression, and dementia is available, the authors suggest, "It seems prudent for clinicians to add effective screening and treatment for depression to other preventive measures such as exercise, weight control, and blood sugar control to protect against the development of cognitive deficits in patients with diabetes."
The study was sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
