Type 1 diabetes and mental health statistics

 Type 1 diabetes and mental health statistics   

Comorbidities in mental health can adversely affect the management of disease in adolescents with chronic illnesses. This research attempted to determine the prevalence and effect of mental health problems in an adolescent and young adult population with type 1 diabetes. A cross-sectional analysis was performed from a metropolitan, academic diabetes center, involving 150 patients aged 11 to 25 years with type 1 diabetes. Participants completed three approved screening instruments for mental health disorders: Beck's Depression Inventory, the Screen for Child Anxiety Induced Emotional Disorders-41 Anxiety Test, and the Primary Care Eating Disorder Test. More than one third tested positive.

• 11.3% for depression,
• 21.3% for anxiety, and
• 20.7% for disordered eating (14.7% had any two positive screens).

Patients with a positive screen, as calculated by HgbA1c, had twice the chances of impaired glycemic control as those without. This research encourages screening of youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes for mental health problems.

People who have a mental illness, such as psychosis, are at greater risk of developing co-morbid conditions-like type 2 diabetes-regardless of treatment. In particular, Severe mental illness sufferers at risk of developing diabetes are women, black Americans and persons over 45 years of age. Schizophrenia-associated disorders such as decreased insulin sensitivity, overweight, obesity, low diet, lack of exercise and insufficient self-care are among potential causes of increased vulnerability to type 2 diabetes. Other barriers to good health care for schizophrenic patients include diminished capacity to communicate, denial of the disease, social isolation and under treatment due to co-morbid conditions. Various antipsychotic drugs may also lead to pre-established insulin resistance or glucose sensitivity. Clinicians can improve care by identifying the most critical obstacles and integrating this information into a successful treatment plan for each patient.