Racial and ethnic differences in diabetic patient-reported depression symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Aims: Depression is common in diabetes, but little is known about depression in minorities with diabetes. This study investigated (1) racial/ethnic variation in depressive symptoms, (2) racial/ethnic variation in patient-reported physician-diagnosed depression, (3) racial/ethnic variation in patient-reported pharmacological depression treatment, and (4) the effects of demographic and diabetes variables on these outcomes. Participants: A community sample of 740 persons with diabetes attending diabetes health fairs in the northeastern US participated. Design: Cross-sectional, observational. Participants were paid $5 on-site for completing a one-time, anonymous self-report questionnaire. Measurements: The questionnaire asked about demographics and diabetes, as well as physician-diagnosed depression and medication for depression. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale was used to determine depressive symptoms. Results: ANCOVA revealed that rates of depressive symptoms were similar among White, African-American, and Latino persons with diabetes. One quarter (24.2%) endorsed physician-diagnosed depression, and 40.2% of them (9.7% of the total sample) reported pharmacological treatment. In logistic regression, African-Americans reported lower rates of physician-diagnosed depression than Whites, OR = 0.470. In logistic regression, those African Americans who endorsed depression diagnosis reported marginally lower rates of pharmacotherapy than Whites, OR = 0.415. Conclusions: Providers are encouraged to address depression in their diabetic patients, paying particular attention to minorities. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.