Depression risk associated with spouses’ diabetes and cardiovascular events: a nationwide cohort study - Summary - MDSpire

Depression risk associated with spouses’ diabetes and cardiovascular events: a nationwide cohort study

  • By

  • Toshiaki Komura

  • Yusuke Tsugawa

  • Daisuke Yabe

  • Naoki Kondo

  • Kosuke Inoue

  • April 16, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the association between spouses’ diabetes and individuals’ depression, specifically hypothesizing that cardiovascular disease (CVD) mediates this relationship.

Key Findings:
  • Spouse's diabetes was associated with an increased risk of depression in individuals (HR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04-1.12]).
  • The estimated pure indirect effect of CVD on the association was 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00-1.03).
  • A similar total effect was observed when dependents were used as index individuals, but the indirect effect was null.
Interpretation:

The findings suggest that the mental health burden of diabetes extends to spouses, emphasizing the need for household-level mental health support and CVD prevention, which could inform healthcare policy and practice.

Limitations:
  • The study did not account for all potential confounders such as lifestyle factors, psychosocial variables, and specific health histories.
  • The analysis was limited to a specific population covered by the Japan Health Insurance Association.
Conclusion:

The study highlights the importance of addressing the mental health needs of family members of individuals with diabetes, particularly in the context of preventing CVD, which is crucial for public health.

Original Source(s)

Depression risk associated with spouses’ diabetes and cardiovascular events: a nationwide cohort study

  • by Toshiaki Komura, Yusuke Tsugawa, Daisuke Yabe, Naoki Kondo, Kosuke Inoue

  • April 16, 2025

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