Depressive Symptoms in Youth With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Pediatric Diabetes Consortium Screening Assessment of Depression in Diabetes Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency of depressive symptoms and the diagnosis and management of depression in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the Pediatric Diabetes Consortium T1D and T2D registries. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) 2 Self-Report (Short) version was completed by 261 T1D and 339 T2D youth aged 10–17 years. RESULTS Symptoms of depression were identified in 13% of T1D and 22% of T2D (P = 0.007) participants; of these, only 4% of T1D and 9% of T2D youth were treated by a therapist within the prior 12 months. Depressive symptoms were associated with lower family income (P = 0.006) and obesity (P = 0.002) in T1D but not T2D youth. CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptoms are more frequent than diagnosed depression in youth with T1D or T2D. These results underscore the need for regular depression screening and appropriate referral for youth with diabetes.