Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, progressive metabolic disorder frequently associated with depression and anxiety. It is characterized by elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Individuals diagnosed with T2DM encounter an increased risk of various health complications, experience a low quality of life, and contribute to a significant economic burden due to healthcare costs associated with their condition.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with T2DM in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, as well as to identify the factors that predict this comorbidity, with a focus on glycemic control, treatment adherence, and overall healthcare outcomes.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 391 patients, including Saudi and non-Saudi individuals living in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia aged 18 years and older, all diagnosed with T2DM. Participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire that collected data on the sociodemographic background of the patients and their diabetic status. Scores such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety, as well as their medication adherence, were covered in the final section. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), and descriptive statistics were calculated for the study variables. Chi-square and exact probability tests were used to examine the associations between categorical variables.

RESULTS

Most participants were aged 26-35 years (n=138, 35.3%), and were male (n=262, 67%) and Saudi nationals (n=365, 93.4%). A majority had diabetes for three to five years (n=128, 32.7%), with 196 (50.1%) having glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels of 7-8%. Regarding physical activity, 134 (34.3%) participants reported no exercise and only 21 (5.4%) exercised daily. Additionally, anxiety symptoms were common, with 176 (45%) participants reporting some impact on daily tasks and 185 (47.3%) experiencing depression-related difficulties. Factors significantly associated with anxiety and depression included HbA1C levels, duration of diabetes, and the number of medications prescribed. Medication adherence challenges were prevalent, with 221 (56.5%) patients sometimes forgetting and 134 (34.3%) discontinuing their medication without consulting their physician.

CONCLUSION

Crucial factors associated with anxiety in our setting included being non-Saudi, having lower education levels, poor glycemic control, and the number of medications used. Depression, on the other hand, was found to be higher among unemployed patients, those with longer diabetes duration, poor glycemic control, and multiple medications. These findings emphasize the importance of healthcare providers in addressing both the medical and psychological needs of diabetic patients through tailored interventions to enhance their overall well-being.