Sociodemographic and disease-related correlates of depressive morbidity among diabetic patients in Zagreb, Croatia

The magnitude of depressive morbidity as well as its significant sociodemographic and disease-related correlates were investigated in a sample of 180 adult diabetic patients attending an outpatient clinic in Zagreb, Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) in 1989. Results using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale yielded a prevalence rate of 60.5% with 10% manifesting severe levels of depressive symptoms. Significant correlates of higher symptoms included older age, female gender, unmarried status, less education, the presence of diabetic complications, longer duration of the disease, more demanding diabetic regimens, and poorer adherence to the regimen. The lowest coefficient was for level of glycosylated hemoglobin (r = .04), indicating a weak relationship between diabetic control and depressive symptoms. Findings are discussed in relation to other epidemiological surveys of depression and to the deteriorating economic and political situation in Croatia. The implications of untreated depression for diabetic self-care are discussed.