BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes for all age groups is estimated to be 2.8% globally in the year 200 affecting more men than women. Based on 2014-2016 annual census  of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at EVRMC, diabetes has been one of the leading causes of consultation at the Out-Patient Department of which 69% were elderly. This disease not only causes both macro and microvascular lesions resulting to psychological and psychosocial impacts leading to depression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depression among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in a tertiary government hospital from January to June 2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analytical study on the association of the socio-demographic characteristics and adherence to medication among elderly diabetics with depression. Those diagnosed with T2DM who could read and write were screened for depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale.

RESULTS: A total of 110 elderly diabetic patients were seen. Of these, only 75 of them could read and write and selected as subjects. Thirty-one or 41.0% of them turned positive for depression. Socio-demographic characteristics of elderly diabetics with depression showed that 55% were females, mostly belonging to age group 60-69 years old (77%), married (58%), who lived with their spouses (58%), unemployed (42%), mostly with elementary education (45%) and belonging to the lower socio-economic class (97%). Their financial support mainly comes from their children (45%). twenty or 87% of the subjects with depression were adherent to their medication.

CONCLUSION: Age is significantly associated with depression in elderly diabetics because as they grow older, they are faced with physical, psychological and social role changes that challenge their sense of self and capacity to live happily. Adherence to medication is important among elderlies with diabetes.