LAUSR

Abstract Background Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in patients with diabetes. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with depression in patients with type 2 diabetes and to assess the relationship between depression and attainment of treatment targets. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included patients with type 2 diabetes who were receiving chronic care in the outpatient diabetes unit of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. Depression was assessed using the 9-Item-Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression models were used to identify independent associations. Results Of the 177 participants, 52 (29.4 %, 95 % CI: 22.8–36.7) had depression. In bivariate analysis factors associated with depression were; age > 48 years, physical inactivity, major life event, pill burden (≥5 medication types and ≥7 tablets/day), nephropathy and neuropathy. In multivariate analysis neuropathy (aOR: 3.25, 95 % CI: 1.47–7.19; p = 0.004) and major life event (aOR: 8.38, 95 % CI: 2.79–25.15; p  7 % (aOR: 2.50, 95 % CI: 1.23–5.00; p = 0.010). Conclusion Depression is common in this group of Cameroonians with type 2 diabetes and is strongly associated with major life event, neuropathy and poor glycaemic control. Our results portray the need to systematically screen and manage depression in patients with type 2 diabetes in this setting.