Depression Screening in Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescent 12-18 Year Olds

Background Although more commonly diagnosed in adults, type 2 diabetes is increasingly diagnosed in pediatric populations in the United States. Research suggests a correlation between depression and type 2 diabetes, however, a gap in research exists regarding depression and type 2 diabetes among pediatrics, specifically adolescents. This scoping review aims to address this gap by assessing the impact of depression screening on glycemic control in this specific population. Purpose The goal of the review is to contribute to the development of effective strategies for depressing screening in adolescents with type 2 diabetes, with the expectation this may positively impact glycemic control. Methods Between August 2022 and November 2023, a journal review was conducted to identify studies that examined adolescent depression in those with a type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Individual searches were conducted across various sources such as PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL. The following keywords were used to identify articles: adolescent, youth, depression, type 2 diabetes, depression screening, standardized screening, glycemic control, and HbA1c. Results Thirteen articles were identified following rapid critical appraisal, which yielded a final selection of eleven articles used in this review. Prior studies have primarily been limited to either type 1 diabetes or adults without fully exploring the relationship of depression in adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Thirteen articles were identified, yielding a final selection of 11 articles after rapid critical analysis used in this review. These consisted of five cohort studies, two descriptive studies, and four quality-improvement studies. All studies completed baseline depression screenings while most obtained HbA1c, but less than half examined any relationship between the two, yielding inconsistent findings. Implication for Nursing Practice The outcomes in this scoping review identified that more research is needed to establish any correlation between depression screening and type 2 diabetes. The articles used in this scoping review evaluated HbA1c measurement, glycemic control, and mood regulation in the adolescent population but not how they co-relate. These findings support the idea that incorporating depression screenings at regular intervals into the care of adolescents with type 2 diabetes may help providers prioritize both the physical and mental health of at-risk patients.