The Effect of a Diabetes-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Program (DIAMOS) for

Patients With Diabetes and Subclinical Depression: Results of a Randomized

Controlled Trial

Featured Article:

Norbert Hermanns, Andreas Schmitt, Annika Gahr, Christian Herder, Bettina Nowotny, Michael Roden, Christian Ohmann, Johannes Kruse,

Thomas Haak, and Bernhard Kulzer

Diabetes Care Volume 38: 551-560

April, 2015

STUDY OBJECTIVE 

• Subclinical depression is associated with a poorer long-term prognosis in diabetes

• Because of the lack of specific intervention concepts, DIAMOS was newly developed and evaluated in a randomized trial

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

• DIAMOS is composed of cognitive behavioral interventions to reduce diabetes distress

• The active control group received diabetes education

• The primary outcome was depressive symptoms

• Secondary outcomes were: • Diabetes distress• Well-being• Self-care behavior• Diabetes acceptance• Diabetes treatment satisfaction• HbA1c• Subclinical inflammation

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

RESULTS

• 214 participants were randomized

• 2-month follow-up revealed a stronger reduction of depressive symptoms in the DIAMOS group than in the control group

• The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Diabetes Distress Scale scores displayed significant treatment effects

• Risk of incident major depression in the DIAMOS group was significantly reduced

• Inflammatory variables were not substantially affected

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

CONCLUSIONS

• DIAMOS effectively lowers depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress in patients with subclinical depression

• DIAMOS helps to prevent the incidence of major depression

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560

Hermanns N. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:551-560