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Published on: June 11, 2012
The role of depression and diabetes distress in glycemic control: A meta-analysis
Kenni Wojujutari Ajele1, Erhabor Sunday Idemudia1
1Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, South Africa.
Aims:
This study evaluated the associations between depression, diabetes distress, glycemic control (HbA1c), and self-care behaviours in individuals with diabetes. Findings on these relationships have been inconsistent, highlighting the need for systematic evaluation.
Methods:
Data from 61 studies involving 19,537 participants conducted between 2001 and 2024 were analysed using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses examined variations by diabetes type, geographic location, and measurement tools. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.
Results:
Depression and diabetes distress were significantly associated with poorer glycemic control (r = 0.23, 95 % CI [0.15 to 0.31], p < 0.001) and reduced self-care behaviours (r = -0.19, 95 % CI [-0.28 to -0.10], p < 0.001). Stronger correlations were observed in mixed diabetes populations (r = 0.35, 95 % CI [0.30 to 0.40], I2 = 0 %) and in studies conducted in Europe (r = 0.28) and North America (r = 0.34). High heterogeneity (I2 = 97.24 %) was identified.
Conclusions:
Depression and diabetes distress are associated with poorer glycemic control and reduced self-care behaviours. Findings highlight the need for standardized measures and longitudinal studies to explore mechanisms underlying these associations.
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