Prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety in diabetic patients in a national hospital in Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 patients with diabetes at Itaugua Hospital, Paraguay. Most participants were women (69.2%), were aged 31–59 years (64.9%), had type 2 diabetes (88.3%), and were receiving treatment (83%). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed in 87.6% and 72% of patients, respectively. In the simple regression analysis, depression was positively associated with being divorced (PR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.13–1.70), whereas having type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with depression (PR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60–0.97). Anxiety was positively associated with higher education, being cohabiting or divorced, and receiving diabetes treatment, whereas negative associations were found with age 31–59 years, female sex, type 2 diabetes, and the presence of diabetes-related complications. These findings indicate a high prevalence of mental health problems among patients with diabetes, particularly anxiety and depression, highlighting the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors.