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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Charlotte777

28/06/2016 at 12:20

Charlotte777

Last activity on 23/05/2025 at 09:02

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

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 2016-06-28 12:20:01

VonnyM

01/07/2016 at 09:57

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

It's not our fault.

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Vonnym

andrew54

01/07/2016 at 11:33

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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...

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Andy

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01/07/2016 at 20:27

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.

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02/07/2016 at 19:15

This is very interesting :)

Gaylep

02/07/2016 at 21:27

Gaylep

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This is very interesting. I started with mild depression about 2 years after i learnt i had type 2 diabetes. Both controlled with tablets

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Gayle Pullen

JazzyC

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25/07/2016 at 15:42

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JazzyC

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I had depression for many years before I was diagnosed with diabetes and was told that the diabetes was due to long term prescribed use of steroids . The more I find out about diabetes the more I realise that it's a much more complicated illness than I believed and the more confused I become .There is no point having regrets or saying what if but it just makes me wonder what else they are going to find out about my different illnesses .It is a relief to know that it was nothing I did that caused my present problems , onward and upward

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Janet Collins

gummidge

08/08/2016 at 15:11

gummidge

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I have suffer with Depression for just over 40 years, in that time, so far, I haven't got diabetes. I don't really know why I've added to this conversation, I guess I just wanted to let others know that you can have one for a long time without getting the other. I guess I'm one of the forty percent.

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Gummidge

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08/08/2016 at 19:40

I have had depression for five years and so far am fine on the diabetes front but should really suffer I am only 5ft and nearly 14 stone but my blood pressure sugar and cholestioral are all really good I go to the gym and do classes 3 days a week maybe that helps

myangel58

09/08/2016 at 02:43

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myangel58

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I have suffered depression for over 40 years and have not got diabetes. I have got high blood pressure and yo young weight and cholesterol. Maybe it's to do with the anti depressants I take .

People with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes

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