A Retrospective Chart Review: Screening Patients with Type 2 Diabetes for Depression

Authors

• Jennifer Sheldon, Georgia College & State UniversityFollow
• Glynnis Haley, Georgia College & State UniversityFollow
• Monica KetchieFollow

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Glynnis J. Haley

Dr. Monica Ketchie

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is defined as an impaired production of insulin resulting in elevated blood glucose levels (Brutsaert E., 2020). Globally, approximately 8% to 9% of adults have diabetes mellitus, the majority of which (95%) have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, equating to between 624 million to 702 million people (WHO, 2020). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus represents the seventh leading cause of death, with approximately 1.5 million new cases diagnosed annually in the United States (CDC, 2020).

Depression is clinically defined as a mental health disorder that presents with a continually depressed mood or a loss of interest in daily activities for most days for at least two weeks (WHO, 2020). Depression has been diagnosed in one in every five adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, representing almost 7 million patients with a prevalence at least double that found in the general population (Darwish et al., 2018; National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). Depression has been shown to decrease patient quality of life, reduce patient adherence to treatment plans and regimens, and increase the risk of comorbidities and mortality (Berge et al., 2015; Asherner et al., 2021).

The American Diabetes Association recommends routine evidence-based depression screening for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus using a validated screening tool (Standard of Care for Diabetes Care, 2021). Routine screening would identify at-risk patients permitting them to further inquire about depression symptoms and provide appropriate treatment (Standard of Care for Diabetes Care, 2021). The aim of this Doctor of Nursing translational and clinical research project was to perform a retrospective chart review at an internal medicine practice in middle Georgia and evaluate if patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were screened using a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screening tool and subsequently treated for depression, following current evidence-based guidelines.

Recommended Citation

Sheldon, Jennifer; Haley, Glynnis; and Ketchie, Monica (2026) "A Retrospective Chart Review: Screening Patients with Type 2 Diabetes for Depression," The Corinthian: Vol. 22, Article 7.
Available at: https://kb.gcsu.edu/thecorinthian/vol22/iss1/7