The study examines the efficacy of a stepped care approach for depressed diabetes patients (first study objective). 256 patients with diabetes and comorbid subthreshold or clinical depression will be randomly assigned to either a stepped care approach or a treatment-as-usual condition. The stepped care approach consists of three treatment steps comprising diabetes-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (group), depression-specific CBT (single), and psychotherapeutic and/or psychiatric treatment (single). Patients assigned to the stepped care approach will be treated stepwise until a clinically significant reduction of depressive symptoms is attained or all three treatment steps are passed. The primary outcome of the first study objective is a clinically significant reduction of depressive symptoms in the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are reduction of diabetes-related distress and improvement of well-being, health-related quality of life, diabetes acceptance, diabetes self-care, and glycaemic control. Additionally, cost-benefit analyses will be performed. The second study objective is to analyse associations between diabetes, depression, and the serum levels of inflammatory markers. The third study objective is to analyse the courses of depressive conditions in diabetes with regard to recovery rates and incidence of major depression.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Depressive Mood - Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD)
Timeframe: 12 month