Anxiety and Depression as Predictors of Glycemic Control In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Mahboob Qadir, Umair Farooqui , Muhammad Kaleem Ullah, Sabir Hussain, Hira Athar, Madiha Jamil
Keywords: Anxiety; Anxiety; Depression; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control; Self-Management
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The burden of Diabetes mellitus is becoming a global challenge. More and more research work is being done not only on its treatment and laboratories methods for its early detection, but also on the reasons why the disease is progressing day by day. The objective of present research is to determine the role of anxiety and depression in poor glycemic control.
Objective: The present study aimed to determine anxiety and depression as predictor of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study enrolled 287 adults with confirmed T2DM at the Endocrinology Department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, between January and October 2025. Depressive and anxious symptom severity was quantified using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. Glycemic control was assessed via HbA1c. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression in SPSS version 27.0.
Results: A total of 287 subjects were enrolled in the study. Mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were 10.8 ± 5.4 and 8.6 ± 4.9, respectively, both falling within the mild-to-moderate severity range. Inverse correlations of moderate magnitude were observed between HbA1c and self-care behaviors (r = −0.28, p < 0.001) and medication adherence (r = −0.25, p < 0.001). Mean HbA1c was 8.24 ± 1.63%, with 62.7% exhibiting poor control. Clinically significant depression and anxiety were identified in 34.8% and 27.5%, respectively.
Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are important predictors of diabetes mellitus and the treatment of these psychological disorders decrease the frequency of hyperglycemia.
Keywords: Anxiety; Anxiety; Depression; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control; Self-Management