TO EVALUATE THE FREQUENCY OF DEPRESSION AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS; A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency among diabetic patients with depression. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Medicine department, Saidu Teaching Hospital Swat for the duration of five months starting from March, 2020 to August, 2020. Methodology: In the study informed consent was obtained after objectives of study were explained to the patients. With the help of one researcher a questionnaire (standard questionnaire by back) for each patient were complete. The Beck Depression Inventory, a 21-item screening questionnaire comprising 13 cognitive and 8 somatic questions was used to screen for depression. Depending on total score all the participants having depression were classified into four groups. In first group those patients were included having Minimal depression age range from 0 to 13 years, in second group those patients were included having Mild depression age range from 14 to 19 years, in third group those patients were included having Moderate depression age range from 20 to 28 years and the last group include those patients having Severe depression age range from 29 to 63 years. Results: According to the study, results showed there were occurrence of mild depression among diabetic patients. Depression was not significantly associated with patients' age or gender. In the study there were 100 diabetic patients selected. In selected patients 34% were having age range from 20-40, 18% were having age range from 61- 80 and 48% were having age range from 41-60. According to gender, the sample ratio of male and female were 3:1. According to the stages of depression, 68% of patients had mild depression, 20% of patients had moderate depression and 12% of patients had minimal depression. Conclusion: At the end of our study, we conclude that there was occurrence of depression among diabetic patients. Although the degree of depression was different, the average diabetic patient has a milder state of depression. It supposed that patients with diabetes should be screened regularly for depression and timely intervention if needed. Keywords: Diabetes Clinic, Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Depression