Disease-focused or integrated treatment: Diabetes and depression

Diabetes and depression are chronic debilitating conditions that are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Most patients who have diabetes are treated in primary care settings; however, multiple studies have shown that recognition and treatment of depression is less than optimal in this setting. This article reviews the literature on the adverse health outcomes of the coexistence of diabetes and depression, the challenges of treating coexisting diabetes and depression in a fragmented health care system, and the need for integrated care as a strategy to improve the quality of care for patients with complex medical illnesses (eg, patients who have coexisting diabetes and depression).