Previous research has shown that people with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of major depression later in life. This research, by research physician April van Gennip, internist Dr. Thomas van Sloten and Prof. Dr. Coen Stehouwer, now also suggests that this risk can be limited with a good lifestyle and targeted treatment. The results were published in the renowned scientific journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Thirteen years, 78,000 participants
For this study, the researchers used data from nearly 78,000 UK Biobank participants, more than 9,000 of whom had type 2 diabetes. Because these data cover an average of thirteen years, it was possible to correlate lifestyle factors with the development of depression. The research was repeated with data from the Maastricht Study. In that study, the researchers found the same connections.
Risk factors
The researchers looked at seven factors: blood sugar level, blood pressure, overweight and diet, protein in the urine, physical activity and, finally, smoking. It was determined for each factor whether it meets the (international) standards for being healthy and living a healthy life. In other words: whether the participant has this under control, for example with a healthy weight, healthy diet, sufficient exercise and not smoking. The researchers found that the more factors are under control, the smaller the chance of serious depression or depressive symptoms.
Lifestyle and brain damage?
Researcher and PhD student April van Gennip similarly investigated diabetes, risk factors and risk of dementia. The results were similar: the more risk factors under control, the smaller the risk of dementia later in life: “We have shown a link between lifestyle and the risk of brain diseases depression and dementia. We don’t yet know how these factors cause or prevent brain damage, and what the effect is of addressing the risk factors directly. We want to explore this further in follow-up research. At the same time, we can say that these results confirm the idea that it is never too late to improve lifestyle – even if someone already has type 2 diabetes.”
By: National Care Guide