Before diabetes and depression can be treated, both need to be diagnosed. It has been estimated that between 5 -10 % of patients seen in the primary care setting may suffer from depression at any given time and that depressive disorders are frequently under detected. Â For example, patients may present with unexplained somatic symptoms, such as chronic pain, rather than directly reporting symptoms of depression. Screening for depression using standardized screening instruments has recently been advocated as a means of improving the identification and treatment of patients with depression.
Likewise, 198,000 Virginians have diabetes and do not know it. Anyone age 45 or older should be tested for type 2 diabetes, especially if they are overweight. Anyone younger than 45, who is overweight and physically inactive, has a family history of diabetes or is African-American, Hispanic or American Indian should also be tested.
This Web site offers you tools to use in identifying and understanding the detrimental effect each disorder has on the other and provides resources to give your patients.
Screening Tools for Depression:
The PHQ-2 is the initial screening test for depression.
If the response is "yes" to either question, consider administering the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report questionnaire or asking the patient more questions about possible depression.
www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/PHQ2.pdf
The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR 16) is a tool for assisting primary care clinicians in becoming aware of signs and symptoms of depression. This test measures nine different criterion domains of major depression.
http://www.ids-qids.org/
Screening Tools for Diabetes:
The American Diabetes Association has paper copies and an online risk test available in different languages to assess a patient’s risk for diabetes.
www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp
Research Articles on the Link Between Depression and Diabetes in Women:
The Women's Health Council offers a resource library on depression and diabetes that includes peer reviewed journal articles, medical articles, position papers, guidelines and screening tools.
www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3518
Free Continuing Education Credits on Depression and Diabetes:
New Mexico's Diabetes Prevention and Control Project has developed a Web-based learning course titled "Diabetes and Depression: Primary Care" that offers free CEUs for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians and CHES.
www.diabetesnm.org
The National Diabetes Education Program has continuing education credits available on depression and diabetes through the Diabetes At Work web site.
www.diabetesatwork.org
Diabetes and Depression Poster
This poster alerts patients about the link between diabetes and depression. It is downloadable and can be placed in waiting rooms to encourage your patients to talk to you about depression and diabetes.
download .pdf of poster
Diabetes and Depression Wallet Card
The wallet card is a companion piece to the poster and is a take-home resource for patients that provides them with the Virginia Diabetes and Depression Web site.
download .pdf of wallet card
Newsletter Depression and Diabetes Article
This article titled "Research Shows that Depression and Diabetes Are Linked" is ready to insert in your organization's newsletter and provides an overview of the connection between the two diseases.
download .pdf of newsletter
Public Service Announcement on Depression and Diabetes
This 30-second PSA is ready to be aired over your local radio stations.
download .pdf of PSA
Treatment Sources in Virginia for Depression and Diabetes
National, state and community resources for patients, including where to find diabetes educators and mental health professionals.
www.vahealth.org/cdpc/depression/WhereToFindHelp.htm
Women's Health Council Depression and Diabetes Resource
This web site contains links to numerous organizations and resources on depression or diabetes and provides a wealth of information, education and program tools.
www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3519
Learn more at the NACDD's Women's Health Council Web site.
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