The Link Between Diabetes and Depression

Depression is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for depression. Patients with both conditions fare better when both conditions are treated at the same time.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania followed 180 patients over 12 weeks. All had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and depression. Half of the group was enrolled in a program that focused on treating both conditions at the same time, and the rest received standard care for the two conditions.

The integrated care plan included an emphasis on taking medications for both conditions as prescribed. It also helped patients find social support for their conditions.

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Indications and Usage for Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)

Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time each day to lower blood glucose.

Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

Important Safety Information for Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)

Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients in Lantus®.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.

Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution. It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to your heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.

Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.

Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.

Please click here or the link below for the full prescribing information for Lantus®

Prescribing Information

Better results

At the end of the study, the researchers found that about 60 percent of the patients who had received the integrated care improved both their blood sugar test results and their depression symptoms.

Among the group that received the standard care, 36 percent had better blood sugar results and 31 percent reported an easing of depression symptoms.

The study was published in the journal Annals of Family Medicine.

Higher risk

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says that although most people with diabetes don't have depression, people with diabetes are at greater risk for depression than are people without diabetes.

And poor blood sugar control can cause symptoms that resemble depression, the ADA says.

Few programs

"Though research demonstrates the link between depression and diabetes, few integrated programs are being implemented in practice," says study lead author Hillary Bogner, M.D.

She says she hopes the study results will encourage more doctors to use an integrated approach to treating both conditions.

Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information.

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