The effects of diabetes on mental health in South Korean adults

BACKGROUND: The changes in dietary habits can affect mental health problems, such as depressive disorder, due to the occurrence of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of diabetes on mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9: PHQ-9). METHODS: A secondary data analysis of cross-sectional design based on the raw data from KNHANES VII-1 was performed, which were disclosed by MOHW and KCDC. Of 8,150 respondents, 5,661 respondents aged >= 20 years were included, thus excluding 2,489 respondents. Data were analyzed using an SPSS version 20.0 program. RESULTS: The respondents scored high for diabetes diagnosis status (3.65), suicide planning status for a year (8.56), mental problem counseling for a year (7.80), and the degree of daily stress awareness (8.27) in PHQ-9. They scored higher for suicide planning status for a year, mental problem counseling for a year, and the degree of daily stress awareness than for diabetes diagnosis status in PHQ-9. Positive correlation was found among diabetes diagnosis status, suicide planning status for a year, mental problem counseling for a year, and daily stress awareness in PHQ-9 (p < 0.01). Diabetes diagnosis status (p < 0.01), suicide planning status for a year (p < 0.001), mental problem counseling for a year (p < 0.001), and the degree of daily stress awareness (p < 0.001) affected PHQ-9. CONCLUSION: PHQ-9 for screening depressive disorder based on diabetes diagnosis status had low scoring distribution. However, because diabetes diagnosis status significantly affected PHQ-9 for depression screening, it is necessary to pay attention to health care related to diabetes. Further research should be conducted on the association with diverse causes of the low scoring distribution in PHQ-9 in relation to diabetes.