J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2019 Oct;25(3):222-231. 10.0000/jksbtp.2019.25.3.222.

Chronic Medical Diseases and Depressive Symptoms in a Rural Group at High Risk for Depression: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

• Chung BS
• Lee D
• Choi JW
• Oh HO
• Kang GH
• Lee SS
• Kim BJ
• Lee CS
• Lee SJ
• Seo JY
• Lee YJ
• Cha B
• Park CS

• KMID: 2466002
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksbtp.2019.25.3.222

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the effects of chronic medical diseases on depressive symptoms in individuals at high risk for depression living in rural areas, over a 1-year period.
METHODS
A community-based longitudinal study was conducted; 67 participants aged 18-79 years residing in rural areas were included. In the first survey, all participants completed a self-report questionnaire battery. An interview was also conducted to obtain data on demographic variables and current or past chronic medical diseases. In the first survey, participants with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale(CES-D) scores of 16 or higher were categorized as being at high risk for depression; the same assessments were carried out 1 year later in a follow-up survey. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the association of chronic medical diseases with 1-year follow-up depressive symptoms in the high-risk group.
RESULTS
In model 1, which controlled for sociodemographic variables, the number of chronic medical diseases (p =0.026), baseline severity of depressive symptoms(p =0.002), and presence of diabetes(p =0.039) were significantly associated with the follow-up CES-D scores. In model 2, which further adjusted for Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores, the number of chronic medical diseases(p =0.036), baseline severity of depressive symptoms(p =0.017), and prevalence of diabetes(p =0.037) were also significantly associated with the follow-up CES-D scores.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that the number of chronic medical diseases, prevalence of diabetes, and severity of depressive symptoms are significantly associated with 1-year follow-up depressive symptoms in individuals at high risk for depression.

Keyword

Chronic medical diseases; Depression; Rural population; Diabetes mellitus

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Depression*
Diabetes Mellitus
Epidemiologic Studies
Follow-Up Studies*
Longitudinal Studies
Prevalence
Rural Population