Does the rate of mental health issues increase with age in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes: Preliminary findings from the North Carolina Neurocognition Risk Reduction Diabetes Study

Introduction: Research has linked type 2 diabetes with increased depression and anxiety. Although there have been reports showing increased depression and anxiety in middle-aged women, currently no knowledge indicates whether depression and anxiety increases with age among patients with type 2 diabetes. Objective: To determine whether the prevalence of depression and anxiety increased with age in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Data abstracted via retrospective chart review from an Academic Medical setting determined presence of a diagnosis or health care provider note confirming history of depression and anxiety. The data was coded into three age groups: 26-40, 41-55, and 56-65 years. Results: Patients (n=124) were primarily African American (61%) females (77%), between 26-65 years of age (SD ±9.66, Mean=51). In the 25-40 range, 21% had both depression and anxiety, 42.1% had a history of anxiety and 31.6% a history of depression. In the 41-55 range, 28.3% had a history of both, 33.3% a history of anxiety and 54.2% a history of depression. In the 56-65 range, 24.4% had a history of both, 33.3% a history of anxiety and 37.8% a history of depression. Conclusion: Depression was more common in patients 41-55 years old; anxiety was more common in the 25-40 year range. Depression and anxiety can affect diabetes self-management, and poor diabetes self-management can increase risk for health related complications including neurocognitive impairment. Addressing mental health issues among adults with type 2 diabetes can improve diabetes management which may result in a decreased risk for neurocognitive impairment.