Depression,diabetes,and healthcare utilization: Results from the Korean longitudinal study of aging (KLoSA)

Background: the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between diabetes and depression and investigate the effects of comorbid diabetes and depression on healthcare utilization. methods: the study sample included 10,179 korean adults aged ≥45 years. the presence of diabetes was assessed by asking participants if the participants had ever been diagnosed with diabetes. depression was measured using the 10-item center for epidemiological studies-depression scale. healthcare utilization was assessed by self-report. multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. results: diabetes was positively associated with depression after controlling socioeconomic and health variables. di-abetic patients who had low socioeconomic status,who were obese,who were smokers,and who had higher numbers of chronic diseases had a higher depression risk. diabetes and depression was associated with increased healthcare utilization. people with both diabetes and depression had significantly increased odds of multiple physician visits,mul-tiple hospital admissions,and prolonged hospitalization compared with individuals with neither diabetes nor depres-sion. patients with both diabetes and depression had greater odds of multiple hospital admissions than patients with diabetes alone. conclusions: we found a positive association between diabetes and depression. depression in persons with diabetes is associated with increased multiple hospital admissions. more research is warranted to clarify an association between co-occurring depression with diabetes and increased healthcare utilization.