People who have both diabetes and depression tend to have a harder time keeping their blood sugar levels under control. But, according to a recent study, taking antidepressants could help on both ends.
Diabetics reportedly have an increased chance of suffering from depression, and taking antidepressants is linked to 95 percent higher odds that their blood sugar will be well controlled.
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“We don’t know the mechanism by which the use of antidepressants is associated with better blood sugars in those patients with both conditions,” lead study author Dr. Jay Brieler of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, told Reuters.
Scientists are exploring the correlation between mood, stress hormones and blood sugar in response to these findings.
For the study, electronic medical records for about 1,400 diabetics were examined from 2008 to 2013 – most of which were reportedly around 62 years old and obese – all of which had type 2, adult-onset diabetes. This increases the notion that potentially depression could have been developed based on the disease or vice versa. Despite that question, findings showed that antidepressants had an impact.
Certain antidepressants and antipsychotics can be associated with weight gain and poor blood sugar control as well, so again, a potential correlation.
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At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
“Regardless of the mechanism, I think that our study adds to the evidence that it is important to properly diagnose and treat depression in diabetics,” Brieler added.
Photo: Flickr user darcyadelaide
