Frequency and severity of depressive symptoms among diabetic patients.

One hundred patients of Diabetes Mellitus (30 insulin dependent and 70 non-insulin dependent) were studied for frequency and severity of depressive symptoms. The subjects were evaluated on Schedule for Standardised Assessment of Affective Disorder (SADD) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).Result show that symptoms such as depressed mood-decreased work and activities and loss of weight were present in more than 60% of patients belonging to insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetics. Severity of depressive symptoms as rated on HRSD were significantly higher (P < .001) in insulin dependent patients as compared to non-insulin dependent diabetics.