Depression as a comorbidity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence and Relationship with Glycaemic Status and Quality of Life among patients attending a Nigerian Primary Care Clinic

BACKGROUND Depression commonly coexists with diabetes and contributes to poor health outcomes, yet many affected patients are managed in primary care, where this mental health condition is frequently under-recognized. In Nigeria and much of sub-Saharan Africa, available evidence largely comes from specialist clinics, highlighting the need for better characterization of depression among diabetic patients in primary care settings. The study aimed to determine the pattern of depression comorbidity among type 2 diabetic patients and its relationship with glycaemic control and quality of life in a Nigerian primary care clinic. METHODS It was a cross-sectional study of 260 known diabetic patients recruited from the Family Medicine clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife. The respondents completed a structured questionnaire which incorporated the Patient Health Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the data were carried out. RESULTS A total of 260 diabetic patients participated, with a mean age of 57.4 ± 11.2 years; and most were female (62.7%). The prevalence of depression was 23.5%. Depression was significantly associated with not being married, lower monthly income, presence of comorbidities, poor medication adherence, poor glycaemic control, and physical inactivity (p < 0.05). Depressive symptom scores correlated negatively with overall quality of life (r = − 0.753, p < 0.001). Hierarchical multiple linear regression showed that the addition of fasting blood glucose and quality of life scores significantly improved the prediction of depressive symptoms. Logistic regression identified low income (AOR = 6.861; p < 0.001), poor glycaemic control (AOR = 3.171; p = 0.024), and lower QOL scores (AOR = 0.866; p < 0.001) as independent predictors of depression. CONCLUSION Depression is common among patients with diabetes in the study setting, and was strongly associated with poor glycaemic control and reduced quality of life. It’s recommended that primary care physicians consider routine mental health screening and integrated biopsychosocial care of these patients.