Diabetes and depression in older women - double the risk, double the burden
Laura Shea , Michelle Owens-Gary
Volume 54 | Special Issue | May 2009
In the USA, approximately 24 million people have diabetes; more than half are women, and projections to 2050 suggest that women of all ages will continue to represent more than half of all cases. A growing concern for women with diabetes is the increased risk to many of developing major depression. The results from a recent meta-analysis of 42 studies showed that women with diabetes have a higher prevalence of depression (28%) than men with diabetes (18%). The authors of this report define major depression, identify factors that make older women susceptible, discuss management issues, and make recommendations to address the needs of older women with diabetes and depression.