Objective: To examine demographic and mental health diagnostic characteristics for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and current mental health diagnoses.
Methods: The medical records of 397 individuals ages 10-25 with T1D (mean age = 15.3±3.1 years, mean T1D duration = 6.0±4.5 years) who were screened during routine T1D clinic visits for depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were reviewed for current DSM-5 diagnoses, demographic information, and T1D management data.
Results: Of those screened, 29% had a mental health diagnosis; 56% had 1 diagnosis, 26% had 2, and 18% had 3+. The most common diagnoses were depression (16% of total screened), anxiety (15%), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (10%). Other diagnoses included mood, learning, and eating disorders. Those with a mental health diagnosis were slightly older and they had higher PHQ-9 scores and higher HbA1c (Table). Sex, race, insulin regimen, continuous glucose monitor use, T1D duration, and insurance were not significantly different.
Conclusions: Mental health diagnoses are common in adolescents and young adults with T1D. Those with mental health conditions may experience greater difficulties in T1D management, contributing to higher HbA1c. There is a need to develop tailored interventions to improve T1D management when specific mental health conditions are present.
Differences in Characteristics between T1D youth with and without a Mental Health Diagnosis.
| Mental Health Diagnosis (n=116) | No Mental Health Diagnosis (n=281) | p-value | |
| Age (years) | 15.8±2.9 | 15.0±3.2 | 0.023 |
| PHQ-9 Score | 7.5±6.4 | 3.8±4.3 | <0.001 |
| A1C | 9.88±2.5 | 9.17±2.1 | 0.004 |
| Mental Health Diagnosis (n=116) | No Mental Health Diagnosis (n=281) | p-value | |
| Age (years) | 15.8±2.9 | 15.0±3.2 | 0.023 |
| PHQ-9 Score | 7.5±6.4 | 3.8±4.3 | <0.001 |
| A1C | 9.88±2.5 | 9.17±2.1 | 0.004 |
K.R. Stanek: None. S. Majidi: None. E.M. Youngkin: None. J.M. Vogeli: None. K.A. Driscoll: None.
