Depressive symptoms (BDI > 14) were present in 26.9% of African-American patients with type 1 diabetes and were independently associated with unemployment or not working due to disability.
Cross-Sectional (n=581)
Socio-economic factors, particularly unemployment and disability, are strongly associated with depressive symptoms in African-American patients with type 1 diabetes.
This study examined depressive symptoms and their correlates in African-American patients with type 1 diabetes. Five-hundred eighty-one diabetics participated in a study on risk factors for retinopathy in African-Americans with type 1 diabetes. Evaluations included structured interview, ocular examination, blood test, and completion of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Among the 581 diabetic patients, 159 (26.9%) had a BDI score > 14. Significantly more of these patients were unemployed, had less education, lower socio-economic status, and less personal and family income than those who had a BDI 14 had proliferative retinopathy and were receiving disability payments. In the multiple logistic regression, two factors that significantly and independently associated with the BDI score > 14 were unemployment or not working due to disability. Both socio-economic and diabetic variables are associated with depressive symptoms among African-American patients with type 1 diabetes.
Roy et al. (2001) conducted a cross-sectional in Type 1 diabetes (n=581). Depressive symptoms (BDI > 14) were present in 26.9% of African-American patients with type 1 diabetes and were independently associated with unemployment or not working due to disability.