Screening and Correlates of Depression and HbA^sub 1C^ in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women With Diabetes

• Published in: Perspectives in psychiatric care Vol. 49; no. 4; p. 262
• Main Authors: Hawamdeh, Sana, Almakhzoomy, Ibtihal, Hayajneh, Yaseen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison Hindawi Limited 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Diabetes; Medical research; Mental depression; Psychiatric-mental health nursing; Womens health; United Arab Emirates
• ISSN: 0031-5990; 1744-6163

Hawamdeh et al identify the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of United Arab Emirates (UAE) women with diabetes and depression and explore any differences between depressed and nondepressed patients in relation to glycemic control. Findings show that ninety-two subjects were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. A statistically significant higher incidence of depression was found in the subject group with diagnosed diabetes mellitus than in the nondiabetic subject group. A statistically significant relationship was found between depression status and type of diabetes (Type I). A positive relationship between poor glycemic control and higher levels of depression was identified. A positively significant relationship was found between national status and level of depression among the diabetic sample, among whom at least half showed poor glycemic control (HbA^sub IC^ levels > 7.5). Early detection of depression among women with diabetes is crucial to enhance treatment regimen adherence and glycemic control. As the UAE diabetic women are at even greater risk than other diabetic women, they need to be very carefully screened and evaluated for depression.