According to scientists from the UK, recent genetic study has shown that depression may be a primary cause of Type 2 diabetes.
The two illnesses have always been associated: Type 2 diabetics are nearly twice as likely to receive a depression diagnosis as the general population.
It was never made clear, though, whether Type 2 diabetes led to depression or vice versa, or if other factors, including obesity, were also at play.
Researchers have already identified seven genetic variations that affect both diseases. These genes contribute to the synthesis of insulin as well as inflammation in the brain, pancreas, and adipose tissue.
The processes involved in depression and how it raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes can be partially explained by changes brought on by the genes.
The researchers looked through the genetic information of hundreds of thousands of people in the UK and Finland, including 19,000 people with Type 2 diabetes, 5,000 people with depression who had received a diagnosis, and 153,000 people who had self-reported depression.
Only 36.5% of the relationship between depression and Type 2 diabetes, according to their study, which was published in the journal Diabetes Care, could be attributed to fat.
Despite the fact that this most recent study failed to identify a causal link between diabetes and depression, medical professionals continue to feel that having Type 2 diabetes may be a risk factor for depression.
Because research has now established a clear association between depression, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity, the study’s authors hope that their work will inspire health care practitioners to evaluate their patients with depression for Type 2 diabetes and other related disorders.
