Second (or is it third?) NIMH Study Shows Treating Depression Does Not Lead to Better HbA1c's

"Improvements in depressive symptoms don't lead to better control of glucose levels, according to a new report.

Many people with diabetes also feel depressed, which is thought to interfere with their ability to regulate their blood sugar levels well. Dr. Richard S. Surwit, from Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina stated that, "While clinical depression should be treated in all patients, treating depressed mood (non-clinical depression) in patients with type 2 diabetes as a strategy to improve glycemic control is not effective."

Surwit and associates investigated whether 16 weeks of cognitive behavior therapy would affect control of blood glucose levels in 28 patients with type 1 diabetes and 62 with type 2 diabetes.

Over a one-year period, changes in depression symptoms did not have an effect on A1c levels -- a measure of glucose levels over the long term -- or fasting blood glucose levels, regardless of the type of diabetes, the researchers report in the medical journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

Even among the subgroup of 17 patients with clinical depression, the researchers note, there was no evidence of an improvement in HbA1c levels as depression improved.

The results were "somewhat of a surprise," Surwit said. However, he and his associates point out, "Thus far, the evidence of a link between depressive symptoms and glycemic control has been modest at best, and our current findings raise further doubts about this hypothesized relationship."

Psychosomatic Medicine, April 2007.

If anyone reads this and wants the PDFs for the ARCHIVES of General PSYCHIATRY paper, where this lack of efficacy was first seen (although the depression treatment was PHARMA and problem solving therapy), or actually the first NIMH trial where PHARMA depression medications were ineffective in changing blood glucose, let me know. I intimately know all those studies. Why don't they give up this hypothesis in the light of 3 negative, albeit published in top journal studies??? Inquiring minds want to know? Perhaps because the P.I's are benefiting greatly from PHARMA?

Peace, Love and crystal clear intentions in science.