Diabetes and Obesity Not Associated With 6-Month Remission Rates for Primary Care Patients With Depression

Background: Complex interrelationships appear to exist among depression, diabetes, and obesity, and it has been proposed that both diabetes and obesity have an association with depression. Objective: The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of obesity and diabetes on response to the treatment of depression. Our hypothesis was that obesity and the diagnosis of diabetes in primary care patients with depression would have no effects on depression remission rates 6 months after diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective chart review analysis of 1894 adult (age ≥18. y) primary care patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder or dysthymia and a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10 from January 1, 2008, through September 30, 2012. Multiple logistic regression modeling retaining all independent variables was performed for the outcome of remission (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 < 5) 6 months after diagnosis. Results: The presence of obesity (odds ratio = 0.937, 95% CI: 0.770-1.140, p = 0.514) or the diagnosis of diabetes (odds ratio = 0.740, 95% CI: 0.535-1.022, p = 0.068) did not affect the likelihood of remission, while controlling for the other independent variables. Conclusions: In primary care patients treated for depression, the presence of diabetes or obesity at the time of diagnosis of depression does not appear to significantly affect remission of depressive symptoms 6 months after diagnosis.