Authors (including presenting author) :
Poon YMI(1), Chan PLC(1), Poon SKC(2), Lee LKS(1), Pang SWG(1), Tung YLJ(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Endocrine Division, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong
(2) Clinical Psychology Team, Integrated Rehabilitation Centre, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction :
There is a paucity of data on mental health comorbidities among adolescents with diabetes in Hong Kong. Screening on mental health comorbidities has been recommended in adolescents with diabetes.
Objectives :
This study aimed to (a) assess the prevalence of adolescents with diabetes with depressive and anxiety symptoms, using two well-validated screening questionnaires; and (b) to explore correlates of such symptoms.
Methodology :
This is a retrospective study. As part of the routine clinical workflow, patients aged ≥10 years were invited to fill out the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) to identify depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. Patients who attended the Diabetes Clinic at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital and completed the two questionnaires between December 2020 and November 2022 were included in this study. Correlates of their depressive and anxiety symptoms were explored.
Result & Outcome :
131 patients were included (male: 48, female: 83). 101 had type 1 and 30 had type 2 diabetes. The median age was 14.9 years, and their median duration of diabetes was 3.9 years. Their median HbA1c was 7.5%. 50 (38.2%) scored >4 in PHQ-9 (mild depressive symptoms: 33, moderate: 9, severe: 8) and 43 (32.8%) scored >4 in GAD-7 (mild anxiety symptoms: 27, moderate: 11, severe:5). PHQ-9 score was significantly correlated with GAD-7 score (p <0.0001; Spearman's correlation coefficient=0.7513). Both depressive symptoms (p=0.049) and anxiety symptoms (p=0.001) were associated with female gender, but not age, HbA1c, diabetes types nor duration of diabetes.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of adolescents with diabetes were screened to have at least mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, with female gender being a risk factor. Mental health comorbidities among adolescents with diabetes are common and should be underscored. Early detection by routine screening is highly recommended.
