Investigation of depression in Greek patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Journal
Global journal of health science
Date Issued
2013
DOI
10.5539/gjhs.v5n5p107
Abstract
Background: Considerable studies directly connect the complications in diabetic patients, and especially
peripheral neuropathy, with the emergence of depression. Neuropathetic pain may deteriorate the general health
status of the diabetic patient and glycaemic regulation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the appearance and degree of diabetic peripheral
neuropathy and its correlation with depression, with other parameters of the disease and also duration.
Methods: 57 diabetic patients participated with diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy (male n=27, female n=
30, mean of age 72.7±6.35 years). The first part of Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the Zung
Depression Rating Scale were used as tools for our study. Data was analysed with the SPSS 18.0 statistic
program.
Results: 57.9% of the patients were overweight, 35.1% were obese and only 7% were within normal weight
range. The BMI findings between the two genders indicate that male participants are more often obese than
females. Women surpassed men in the category of overweight patients (p<0.05). The score based on MNSI was
high and between 3 to 12 (mean average of 8.19±2.60 with 8 as intermediate rate). Almost 60% of patients had
severe neuropathy, only 2 were found with mild symptoms and the rest had moderate neuropathtic symptoms,
based on the score summary from the questionnaire. Investigating in detail the relation of diabetic neuropathy
and depression, it derives that a high degree of diabetic neuropathy is related with high score of depression
[F(3.160)=9.821, p=0.001]. Moderate and severe neuropathy was found with almost the same levels of
depression.
Conclusions: The correlation between diabetic neuropathy and depression is confirmed, while a very high
depression rate was found in patients with severe neuropathy. The issue needs further study by using common
instruments to obtain comparative results from the scientific community.
peripheral neuropathy, with the emergence of depression. Neuropathetic pain may deteriorate the general health
status of the diabetic patient and glycaemic regulation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the appearance and degree of diabetic peripheral
neuropathy and its correlation with depression, with other parameters of the disease and also duration.
Methods: 57 diabetic patients participated with diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy (male n=27, female n=
30, mean of age 72.7±6.35 years). The first part of Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the Zung
Depression Rating Scale were used as tools for our study. Data was analysed with the SPSS 18.0 statistic
program.
Results: 57.9% of the patients were overweight, 35.1% were obese and only 7% were within normal weight
range. The BMI findings between the two genders indicate that male participants are more often obese than
females. Women surpassed men in the category of overweight patients (p<0.05). The score based on MNSI was
high and between 3 to 12 (mean average of 8.19±2.60 with 8 as intermediate rate). Almost 60% of patients had
severe neuropathy, only 2 were found with mild symptoms and the rest had moderate neuropathtic symptoms,
based on the score summary from the questionnaire. Investigating in detail the relation of diabetic neuropathy
and depression, it derives that a high degree of diabetic neuropathy is related with high score of depression
[F(3.160)=9.821, p=0.001]. Moderate and severe neuropathy was found with almost the same levels of
depression.
Conclusions: The correlation between diabetic neuropathy and depression is confirmed, while a very high
depression rate was found in patients with severe neuropathy. The issue needs further study by using common
instruments to obtain comparative results from the scientific community.
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