# Association Between Antidepressant Use and Hemoglobin A1c Levels in Adults With Comorbid Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Depression

## TL;DR

This study found no significant link between antidepressant use and blood sugar control in adults with both diabetes and depression.

## Contribution

It is the first large-scale analysis to examine this association using nationally representative data.

## Key findings

- Antidepressant use was not significantly associated with HbA1c levels (adjusted beta = 0.091, p = 0.118).
- Age was inversely associated with HbA1c, while BMI showed a modest positive relationship.

## Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression commonly co-occur, and antidepressants are frequently prescribed. However, their potential impact on glycemic control remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between antidepressant use and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels among U.S. adults with comorbid T2DM and depression.

Methods: This study used data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adults with both T2DM and depression were included. Descriptive statistics and survey-weighted multivariable linear regression were used to assess the relationship between antidepressant use and HbA1c, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and BMI.

Results: Among 11,141,019 weighted individuals, 6.7% reported antidepressant use. No significant difference in HbA1c levels was found between users and non-users of antidepressants (adjusted beta (β) = 0.091, p = 0.118). Age was inversely associated with HbA1c, while BMI showed a modest positive relationship.

Conclusion: Antidepressant use was not significantly associated with HbA1c levels in U.S. adults with T2DM and depression. Further research is needed to explore the effects of specific antidepressant types and behavioral factors on glycemic control.