Depression/Anxiety Tied to Alcohol Use Disorder and Diabetes

University courses Medicine & Psychology
1

A study of 479,447 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) between 2004 and 2019 found that those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) had more than double the rates of depression and anxiety compared to those without AUD. This connection was only partially explained by prior mental health diagnoses. The study, based on data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database, included 2.3% of participants (10,983 individuals) who had a diagnosis of AUD in the year before their T2D diagnosis.

What are the mental health implications for people with alcohol use disorder after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis?

2 Likes
2

For many individuals, the stress of diabetes management may amplify the negative emotional effects of alcohol use disorder. The physical effects of alcohol, such as its impact on blood sugar levels, can complicate diabetes management, leading to additional stress and potentially triggering depressive or anxious symptoms. :frowning: