Background : Diabetes is a metabolic disease and a major health concern, worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing rapidly, causing various complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and blindness. Depression is a psychiatric disorder with symptoms such as loss of interest and energy, feelings of guilt, feelings of failure, isolation, concentration difficulties, self-hatred, and loss of appetite, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, and oversleeping. Patients with diabetes may develop mood disorders including depression. The aim of this review was to discuss depression in patients with diabetes.

  Methodology: In the current study, English and Persian databases including Magiran, Iranmedex, SID, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched, using keywords such as “diabetes”, “depression”, and “patient”. Related articles published during 1995-2007 were assessed. Prevalence of depression in diabetic patients, as well as the relationship between depression and different variables including age, sex, and marital status, was evaluated.

  Results: As the results indicated, the prevalence of diabetes is quite high in Iran. Depression not only exacerbates diabetes-associated complications, but also leads to self-destructive behaviors including overeating, polydipsia, non-use of medications, and suicidal attempts, which interrupt the process of diabetes treatment. 

  Discussion and Conclusion: Depression is more prevalent in diabetic patients, compared to the general population. Moreover, women, single individuals, widows (widowers), the divorced, and those with genetic backgrounds of depression are more susceptible to depression, compared to others. Therefore, assessment and psychiatric consultation are recommended for diabetic patients, especially those who are more prone to depression.