Depression in Individuals With Diabetic Retinopathy in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and depression in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants between 2005 and 2008 (ages 40-85 years) were included. Prevalence of major depression among DR stages as determined by retinal imaging was estimated. Multivariable models assessed associations between depression and DR. RESULTS: Depression was more common in those with moderate to severe DR (16%) than in those with no DR (7%), mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, 6%), or proliferative DR (5%). In a model with DR stages that adjusted for demographic factors, there was an association between moderate to severe DR and depression (odds ratio [OR], 2.46, 95% CI, 1.03-5.85). CONCLUSIONS: Depression was more prevalent in those with moderate to severe NPDR than in those with no DR, mild NPDR, or proliferative DR. This relationship is statistically significant after adjustment for demographic factors.