A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that people with diabetes and depression who take antidepressants may face a lower risk of serious diabetes complications and death. People suffering from diabetes face a higher risk of depression, making them more susceptible to developing complications including heart and kidney disease, stroke, eye, and foot problems.
Study author Shi-Heng Wang, Ph.D., of the China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan, said, “People with depression and diabetes have poorer health outcomes than those with diabetes alone, and regular antidepressant treatment could lower their risk of complications.” Chi-Shin Wu, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, said, “People who adhere to their antidepressants have better diabetes outcomes and quality of life than those with poor adherence.”
Researchers of the study conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 36,276 patients with depression and diabetes to determine if antidepressants could improve diabetes outcomes. They found the regular antidepressant treatment was associated with a lower risk of death and heart disease.
