Introduction: People with diabetes mellitus (DM) may have concurrent mental health disorders
and have been shown to have poorer disease outcomes.
Objective: The aim of this study to determine the prevalence of DASS in patients with diabetes
mellitus without mental disorders, aged 20 years or more, in primary health care, and to determine
any association between DASS and patients’ sociodemographic and clinical attributes.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a primary health care center, in the
department of general practice. Patients with DM who visited the doctor and agreed to fill in the
questionnaire were included in the study. Data were collected using the questionnaire DASS-21.
Descriptive statistics, the Pearson chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze
the data.
Results: Out of a total of 102 respondents with DM, 29 (28.4%) had some form of psychological
symptoms. The prevalence of DASS was 16.7%, 16.6%, and 23.5%, respectively. There was no
significant difference between sociodemographic variables according to stress status. Respondents
aged 40–49 years more often showed emotional states of depression and anxiety. There was a
significant association between emotional status of DASS and HbA1c values. Logistic regression
analysis indicated that age (OR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.59-4.13) was a predictor of depression and anxiety.
Conclusion: Unpleasant emotional states DASS are common in patients with DM, depression
(16.7%), anxiety (16.6%), and stress (23.5%). Age is the strongest predictor of DASS status.
The screening and monitoring of unpleasant emotional states in people with diabetes should be
performed from a young age.