Prevalence of depression in patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Introduction: Depression has been bi-directionally associated with chronic medical disorders such as Diabetes Mellitus type 2(DM) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD). Presence of depression complicates the treatment outcomes due to poor adherence to treatment regimens and is also associated with significant functional impairment ranging from impaired productivity to absenteeism. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of depression in patients with DM and COPD, and correlate them with socio-demographic variables. Settings and Design: A cross sectional hospital-based study was conducted on 30 patients having DM and 30 patients having COPD from January 2018 to June 2018. Methods and Material: Socio-demographic data was collected using semi-structured proforma and depression was assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Statistical analysis used: Quantitative data is expressed in numbers and percentages. Pearson’s Chi-square was applied to compare the sociodemographic correlates amongst themselves with diagnosis of DM and COPD. Results: Prevalence of depression in patients with DM was 63.33% and in those with COPD was 66.67%. Socio-demographically, only living status was significant with DM (p= 0.069). Overall, most (56.41%) had mild levels of severity. Conclusions: In about two-thirds of patients having DM or COPD, psychiatric co-morbidity in the form of depression is present. Hospital admission due to acute exacerbation may lead to increase in depressive features. This may contribute to poor compliance to treatment of these medical illnesses subsequently. Thus, special measures for early detection and treatment of depression in patients with these medical co-morbidities should be implemented to enhance treatment outcome.