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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Mental health comorbidity is common in children with type 2 diabetes
Elizabeth A C Sellers1, Lorraine McLeod2, Heather J Prior3
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Objective:
To describe the prevalence of mental health comorbidity in children with type 2 diabetes compared to a matched population without diabetes and children with type 1 diabetes.
Research Design And Methods:
Population-based cohorts of 528 youth (7-18 years of age) with prevalent type 2 diabetes, 1519 matched children without diabetes and 778 youth with type 1 diabetes were identified from a clinical registry and linked to provincial health care records to assess the prevalence of mental health comorbidity using ICD-9CM, ICD-10CA and ATC codes.
Results:
The majority of children with type 2 diabetes were of First Nations heritage. Compared to their matched peers, children with type 2 diabetes where more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder before and after diagnosis [RR 2.38 (1.63, 3.48) p < 0.001 and 1.70 (1.39, 2.08) p < 0.001 respectively], to attempt/complete suicide [RR 3.18 (1.30, 7.81) p = 0.012 and 2.18 (1.32, 3.60) p = 0.0002 respectively] and be prescribed an antipsychotic [RR 2.33 (1.23, 4.39) p = 0.009 and 1.76 (1.23, 2.52) p = 0.002 respectively]. Following adjustment for age and sex, children with type 2 diabetes, compared to children with type 1 diabetes where more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder and be prescribed an antipsychotic after diagnosis [RR 1.43 (1.07, 1.91) p = 0.015; RR 2.41 (1.44, 4.06) p = 0.0009 respectively].
Conclusions:
Children with type 2 diabetes have high rates of comorbid mental illness. Programs to provide care, support, and education must address the mental health comorbidity in the context of the demographic, socioeconomic, and psycho-cultural characteristics of the population.
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