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Suicidal ideation reported by adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES —Australia
Author(s) -
Handley T. E.,
Ventura A. D.,
Browne J. L.,
Rich J.,
Attia J. R.,
Reddy P.,
Pouwer F.,
Speight J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.13022
Subject(s) - medicine , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus , distress , depression (economics) , suicidal ideation , type 1 diabetes , patient health questionnaire , odds ratio , psychiatry , poison control , suicide prevention , endocrinology , environmental health , clinical psychology , depressive symptoms , economics , macroeconomics
Aims To examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) in a community‐based sample of adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Methods Participants were 3338 adults aged 18–70 years with Type 1 diabetes ( n = 1376) or Type 2 diabetes (non‐insulin: n = 1238; insulin: n = 724) from a national survey administered to a random sample registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Depression and SI were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and diabetes‐specific distress with the Problem Areas In Diabetes scale. Separate logistic regression analyses by diabetes type/treatment were used to determine relative contribution to SI. Results Overall, we observed a SI rate of 14% in our sample. Participants with Type 2 diabetes using insulin reported more frequent depressive symptoms, and were more likely to report recent SI (19%) compared with those with either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes not using insulin (14 and 12%, respectively). After controlling for depression, there was little difference in the prevalence of SI between diabetes types/treatments, but higher diabetes‐specific distress significantly increased the odds of SI. Conclusions As SI is a significant risk factor for a suicide attempt, the findings have implications for healthcare professionals, pointing to the importance of adequate screening and action plans for appropriate follow‐up of those reporting depression. Our findings are also indicative of the psychological toll of diabetes more generally, and the need to integrate physical and mental healthcare for people with diabetes.