Biomedical subjects
Cathy E Lloyd
Publications and source records attributed to Cathy E Lloyd.
Depression and diabetes.
Diabetes, a condition that places responsibility for management firmly on the individual, has a serious impact on daily life, and can have psychosocial and emotional consequences. Psychologic problems such as depressive symptomatology are much more common in those with diabetes than in those without this disease. Symptoms may recur more frequently and be longer-lasting, and diabetes self-care may be compromised. Recent studies have suggested that women with diabetes may be more likely to suffer from depression compared with their male counterparts, and there are strong links with poor metabolic control and diabetes complications. Despite the availability of appropriate screening tools, less than half of those with depression are identified and treated. However, when individuals are referred for psychologic treatment, various therapies (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic) have been found to be successful. Two case studies within this article highlight the effectiveness of these different approaches, and indicate that an individualized patient-focused approach is useful.
Cross-cultural comparisons of anxiety and depression in adults with type 1 diabetes.
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression and anxiety may be more prevalent in individuals with diabetes; however, little is known about possible differences with respect to social or cultural environment. The aim of this study was to examine cross-cultural differences in prevalence and correlates of symptoms of anxiety and depression in two studies, one in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. METHODS: Adults with type 1 diabetes participating in two studies in Birmingham, UK, and Pittsburgh, US, completed psychosocial questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: UK subjects were significantly more likely to report moderate-severe levels of anxiety compared to US subjects (17% vs 5%; p < 0.001). Similar proportions of UK and US subjects reported moderate-severe levels of depressive symptomatology (9% vs 7%). Gender differences in symptomatology were more apparent in the US sample than in the UK study population. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that for the UK study, symptoms of depression, less physical activity and greater frequency of blood glucose monitoring were significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms of depression were also significantly associated with anxiety in the US sample. For UK subjects, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with higher anxiety scores, whereas in the US subjects, anxiety and smoking were significant independent correlates of depression. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that there may be cultural and/or gender differences in the experience of symptoms of anxiety and depression, and also differences in the relationship between psychological symptomatology and diabetes self-care. Our findings have implications for the understanding of the role psychosocial factors play in the management of diabetes.