People with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes

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Gilda

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Edited on 22/08/2016 at 21:03

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Gilda

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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.

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09/08/2016 at 13:14

I'm convinced both my depression and diabetes were caused by stress and lack of sleep. As prior to being diagnosed with both I was leading a very busy and stressful life. I try and avoid stress as much as possible these days. My blood pressure has always been good, often much to my amusement - doctors and nurses would see I was over weight and assume I'd have high blood pressure! My cholesterol is good - interestingly both my mother and one of her brothers, despite being of normal weight, very fit and active and following an excellent diet both have high cholesterol.

People with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/news-from-the-media/people-with-depression-are-60-more-likely-to-d-1156 2016-08-09 13:14:55

Unregistered member

16/08/2016 at 04:50

I have had depression for 11 years tried many medications but just on vitamins as not found anything that helps does not mix very well with my thyroid medication I hope i do not get diabetes as my 10 year old son has type 1 thats bad enough dealing with that it is a good read as had no clue it was linked you try and keep as healthy as possible and get illnesses and conditions out of your control not fair at times

JazzyC

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16/08/2016 at 17:52

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JazzyC

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So much is out of our hands , we do everything we are told eat the right foods exercise whatever.Then out of blue we are told there is new problem and it is so frustrating

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Janet Collins

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22/08/2016 at 21:03

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joejoer

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My husband has high blood pressure for a while now he has depression and prediabetes which he is trying to control with diet, his uncle has some sort of diabetes. My husband is 53

People with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes

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