Social support in recently diagnosed diabetic patients: Risk factor for depression?

Background: social support is important for adaptation in chronic diseases, such as diabetes and depression, because it favors recovery and adherence to treatment. Introducing its evaluation in the follow-up of diabetic patients can reduce complications derived from secondary non-adherence. Aims: to establish social support in diabetic patients and its correlation with depressive symptoms. Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study nested in a cohort of 173 recently diagnosed diabetic patients (<6 months) in Colombia over 18 years of age, treated in a cardiovascular risk program in 2022. The Chronic Illness Social Support Inventory was used. Results: Most of the participants were women (77.5%); single(83.8%), age (mean = 62.6 years (SD 12.3)); glycemia (mean = 146.4 (SD 65.5)), glycosylated hemoglobin (mean = 7.6 (SD 1.7)). Cronbach's α coefficient for the general scale of the social support instrument was 0.9859. The mean social support was 168.5 (SD 37.4), range 38-228. The total social support score was normally distributed (Shapiro Wilk p > 0.05). The correlation between domains was statistically significant. The PHQ9 total score was significantly associated with the domains of Personal Interaction and Guide but did not significantly correlate with the overall social support score. The respondents who were at risk of developing depression were referred for treatment. Conclusions: findings suggest that perceived social support may play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of depression in diabetic patients. It is desirable that health professionals consider evaluating and enhancing social support to improve their mental health. More research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of this relationship.