A recent UK study has revealed striking links between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mental health issues following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Researchers found that individuals with AUD were significantly more likely to develop depression and anxiety after being diagnosed with T2D compared to those without AUD. This connection persisted even after accounting for previous mental health conditions, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by this group.

The study, conducted by Sarah Cook, PhD, and colleagues at Imperial College London, analysed data from 479,447 people diagnosed with T2D between 2004-2019. None of the participants had depression or anxiety diagnoses in the year prior. Of these, 2.3% had AUD in the year leading up to their diabetes diagnosis. Over a median follow-up period of 3.7 years, the incidence rate of depression was more than double among people with AUD (123.9 per 1000 person-years) compared to those without (51.6 per 1000 person-years). Even after multiple adjustments for factors such as prior mental health history, the association remained strong. People with AUD were also more likely to experience anxiety, with higher rates and risks seen in every part of the analysis.

The findings emphasise the importance of integrating mental health support into clinical care for individuals with AUD and T2D. The authors called for a “holistic approach” to improve health outcomes, including support to stop drinking and addressing mental health concerns early. This may be especially important given the potential gaps in diagnosis under current UK guidelines, which recommend treating AUD before depression or anxiety.

The research, published in BMC Primary Care, highlights ongoing challenges in treating these overlapping conditions. Limitations include potential errors in electronic health records, variations in how conditions are coded, and the inability to capture nuanced drinking behaviours over time. Despite these caveats, the study underscores the urgent need for more targeted and comprehensive healthcare strategies for people grappling with both AUD and diabetes.

Dr Cook received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to carry out this work. Other members of the research team were supported by UK universities and the Wellcome Trust. The team confirmed they had no conflicts of interest.

Source: Medscape UK