Neuropathy and depressive disorders in people with diabetes as a public health challenge

Introduction:
In Poland and other highly developed countries, the number of people with diabetes is constantly increasing. The incidence of this metabolic disease is closely related to lifestyle and diet, which are derivatives of civilization progress. Available data from the National Health Fund show that approximately 6% of people in Poland suffer from diabetes. Many diabetic patients struggle with chronic complications of diabetes, including neuropathy and depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between both selected elements of the health status and social characteristics of diabetic patients admitted to the Diabetology Clinic of the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin and the occurrence of neuropathy and depression.

Material and methods:
This research was conducted in 2017-2019 among patients at the Diabetic Clinic of the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin using a diagnostic survey method and tools such as the Beck Depression Inventory and an original survey questionnaire. The data contained in the patients’ medi­cal records were also analyzed. The study involved 314 patients at the Diabetic Clinic who provided informed consent to participate.

Results:
Patients with diabetes often experience complications, such as diabetic neuropathy and depressive disorders. The occurrence of neuropathy was found in 2/3 of the patients, while depressive disorders were found in more than half of the patients included in the study. The group of factors increasing the risk of neuropathy includes increased levels of glycated hemoglobin, type 2 diabetes, an increasing number of years with the disease, and low education. The group of factors increasing the risk of depressive disorders includes diabetic neuropathy, type 2 diabetes, high body mass index (BMI) score, lack of professional activity and poor financial situation.

Conclusions:
In Polish society, there is a need for educational activities in the field of diabetes prevention, as well as the dissemination of knowledge about diabetes complications.