Exercise, therapy help diabetic depression

ATHENS, Ohio, May 29 Ohio researchers tested the effectiveness of a combination of exercise and talk therapy as a treatment for depression in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Ohio University researchers working with colleagues at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens point out that previous studies have shown that depressive symptoms in diabetics are "associated with worsened blood glucose levels, diabetes complications, increased functional disability, worsened adherence to diabetes regimen, higher ambulatory care costs and increased mortality." The researchers say Appalachia has a diabetes prevalence rate of 11.3 percent -- well above the 7.6 percent national rate.

The study, published in the June issue of Diabetes Care, found that out of 201 patients, 31 percent reported both diabetes and depression. The rate is similar to the national co-morbidity rate, and was somewhat surprising considering the relatively high rate of poverty where the patients live.

"My vision of it is that people in Appalachia have sort of a higher tolerance for bad things," study leader Dr. Frank Schwartz, said in a statement. "A follow-up study of the patients involved showed that 88 percent of those who had initially identified themselves as suffering from depression also did so 18 months later."

Copyright 2007 by UPI

More Health News click here