Are adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a greater risk of developing depression? Integrative literature review

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that affects more than 280 million individuals worldwide (World Health Organization, 2021). According to the International Diabetes Federation (2021), around 537 million adults aged 20–79 years are living with diabetes worldwide, and the proportion of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing in most countries. Golden et al (2017) found that, globally, 43 million people who have diabetes also have symptoms of depression. Similarly, Public Health England (2018) noted that depression is more common among people living with type 2 diabetes, compared with those who are not.

In addition, depression may have negative implications for those with type 2 diabetes in relation to diabetes management. Schmitz et al (2014) suggested that adults with diabetes and depression have been shown to have more problems with self-management of their diabetes—in terms of following a healthy diet, exercising, adherence to medication, blood glucose monitoring and not smoking—which can increase the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. Ma et al (2018) argued that people with depression are prone to have a poor quality of life, poor treatment compliance and suboptimal glycaemic control. Furthermore, Lunghi et al (2016) identified that establishing the risk factors for developing depression in this patient group could help health professionals to identify those diabetic patients at high risk of developing depression and thus prevent or treat depression in people with type 2 diabetes.