People with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes

Published 27 Jun 2016

Depressed patients are up to 60 per cent more likely to develop diabetes, a study found.

Researchers discovered a genetic link between the two illnesses to explain why they often occur at the same time.

The scientists from King’s College London hope their findings will pave the way for new treatments that can cure both diseases simultaneously.

They are undertaking the largest ever study of its kind involving 160,000 pairs of twins to explain the link.

Experts have long known that patients with diabetes are more likely to be depressed, and vice versa, and until now they presumed it was coincidental or due to lifestyle.

But the study’s early findings show that genetic flaws are the main reason for both illnesses occurring at the same time.

In 87 per cent of men who had diabetes and depression, genes were to blame.

The link was slightly less strong in women, with both illnesses and genes responsible for up to 75 per cent of cases, they found.

Overall, they have established that patients with depression are 60 per cent more at risk of diabetes, and those with diabetes 15 per cent more likely to develop depression.

Dr Carol Kan, of the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s, said: ‘These findings go some way towards explaining why diabetes and depression sometimes occur together, although further research is needed to explore the effect of gender in this interplay between genetic factors and environmental influences, such as diet and lifestyle.

'A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these disorders and why they sometimes exist in tandem could one day provide useful biological targets for therapeutic interventions.’

The findings will be presented later today at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ International Conference in London.

Almost 5million Britons are thought to be living with depression and 4million have diabetes, but numbers with both are unknown.

Researchers are not clear why the link exists but suspect the same genetic flaw may trigger both.

They hope further analysis will provide a more detailed explanation.

14 comments

Charlotte777

on 28/06/2016

I think there is a link between the medicines for depression and diabetes. I reckon that is how I got it.

VonnyM

on 01/07/2016

Medicines for depression or chronic pain, steroids and suchlike can and do cause diabetes.

It's not our fault.

andrew54

on 01/07/2016

That's why I got diabetes then, I did wonder. I have depression and have for over 12 years and 2 years ago I was told I have diabetes, and yet I am not over weight dont smoke or drink! But had a heart attack 10 years ago...

Plus I am a full time carer for my bedbound wife!

Now I know...

Unregistered member

on 01/07/2016

Spookily strange, but my Mother has just (within the last two hours) brought me this article cut out of the news paper. I had diabetes first (type 2, diet only treatment) Then I developed depression. My diet went to the wall, just couldn't get my head around it any more. I was then started on metformin, over three - four years my diabetes got worse and different diabetic drugs were added to the mix, plus anti-depressants. The anti-depressants main side effects were increased appetite and weight gain. The two stone I'd lost on my diabetic diet was back, but during this two year period I got over my depression. Over this two year period my diabetes was worse, so they put me on insulin as soon as I went on insulin I put another two stone on. Very nearly causing a new bout of depression, so far I have managed to stay mentally strong. I have finally seen a dietician today, the first time in eleven years, she asked if I had been on mirtazapine for the depression - I had, she said "oh no", and "that it is given to people who need to put weight on". So no wonder my weight had increased. We are now looking at how we can get my weight down.

Unregistered member

on 02/07/2016

This is very interesting :)

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