Multisite Examination of Depression Screening Scores and Correlates Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate self-reported depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes during routine screening for adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and examine associations among depressive symptoms and demographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was administered to 197 adolescents and young adults with T2D using the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9 in routine pediatric diabetes care at 4 academic medical centres. Data from electronic health records were extracted from the screening date and 12 months earlier. RESULTS: Adolescents and young adults with T2D (mean age, 16.85 years; 57% male; 77.2% non-Caucasian) completed the PHQ as part of routine diabetes care. On the PHQ, 19.3% of adolescents and young adults endorsed elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ score ≥10) and, among a subsample with item-level data (n=53), 18.9% endorsed thoughts of self-harm. Subsequently, 50.0% of those with depressive symptoms had a documented referral for mental health treatment in the electronic health record after the positive screening outcome. Older age, shorter diabetes duration, higher glycated hemoglobin level, being non-Hispanic white, more blood glucose checks per day and being prescribed oral medications were significantly associated with more depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for depressive symptoms identifies individuals in need of referral for mental health treatment. A focus on self-harm assessment, standardized methods for documentation of symptoms and mental health referrals and increased referral resources are needed.