Associations between depressive symptoms and being employed or retired in older adults with type 2 diabetes

Analyse the association of depression with retirement in older adults with type 2 diabetes(T2D).

Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was used to analyse 1100 T2D aged 51-74, employed or retired. Multilevel logistic models examined the relationships of health and socio-demographic characteristics with depression.

The proportion of females was significantly higher among those with depression. Around half of those aged between 51 and 64 were employed, and less than 5% among those aged between 65 and 74 years. Female, employment, more chronic diseases and not perceiving their health as healthy were associated with depression among those aged 51-64. Among women, the odds of being depressed was significantly higher among those employed than among those who had retired. Among men, being employed or retired was not significantly associated with depression.

Depression was associated to more limitations of daily living and chronic diseases, and worst perception of health. The majority of those with depression were women, and being retired seems to have a protective effect on women.