Which Comes First, Diabetes Or Depression?

I’m not sure what to make of this: According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Mexican Americans are almost twice as likely than non-Hispanic Whites to be diagnosed with diabetes. This, in itself, is not news. But put that together with a report in the Los Angeles Times and the story becomes, at the very least, noteworthy:

They (Latinos) also appear to have higher rates of having both diabetes and a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression, according to a new study presented this week at the American Psychiatric Assn.’s annual meeting.

Which comes first?

What the researchers don’t know is which comes first, the mood disorder or the diabetes.

Is it the depression that produces the diabetes or the diabetes that causes the depression? As central as food is to our culture it would make sense that the diabetic diet would make some people blue. All of a sudden you can’t eat what you used to love, and which more than likely gave you the diabetes to begin with.

The good thing (I think) is that this sort of thing can be counted. And that’s exactly what the APA did:

Among men, 54% developed diabetes first while 24% developed depression first. Among women, 59% developed diabetes first and 29% depression first.

I’m interested to find out what the researchers intend to do with these numbers. I can see where it might affect the prevention of diabetes and depression, but as far as treatment is concerned, does it matter which came first?

Follow Victor Landa on Twitter: @vlanda

[Photo by foobean01]