Depressive symptoms and metabolic control in African-Americans with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the relationship between depressive symptoms and metabolic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 183 African-American adults aged 35-75 years with type 2 diabetes who were recruited from two primary care clinics in East Baltimore, Maryland. Depressive symptoms, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), HbA1c, fasting lipid profile, BMI, and blood pressure, were measured on each participant. Diabetes-related health behaviors were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms (CES-D > or =22) was 30%. After adjustment for age, sex, income, social support, and duration of diabetes in linear regression models, there were significant graded relationships between greater depressive symptoms and higher serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.050). Similar, albeit less statistically significant, relationships were found with higher levels of HbA1c (P = 0.104), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.073), and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.176). Unexpectedly, individuals who reported more depressive symptoms also had higher serum levels of HDL cholesterol (P = 0.047). The associations were not explained by differences in diabetes-related health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are marginally associated with suboptimal levels of HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol, and significantly associated with suboptimal levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Prospective studies are required to determine whether improved identification and management of depressive symptoms would enhance metabolic control in this population.