Distress, Depression, or Both? Exploring Differences in the DDS-17 and the PHQ-9 in Diabetes Specialty Clinic

Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is distinctly different from depression and is more common than depression in people with diabetes. DRD has serious negative outcomes, including poor glycemic control. DRD has been identified in more than 40% of people with diabetes. Recent ADA Standards recommend assessing and addressing DRD; however, in clinical settings, confusion may exist concerning utility of screening for DRD. This study explores differences in our population between scores on DRD and depression screening measures. At the USAF Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE), a military specialty clinic, adult patients were administered the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) and the Diabetes‐related Distress Scale (DDS‐17) as part of standard care from June 2015 through August 2016. Distinct areas of DRD are: 1) Emotional Burden (EB); 2) Physician-related Distress (PD); 3) Regimen-related Distress (RD); and 4) Interpersonal Distress (ID). DDS-17 was categorized as Disclosure J.L. Wardian: None. K.E. Kanzler: None. T.J. Sauerwein: Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca. M.W. True: None. M.A. Glotfelter: None.