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Wednesday 25 September 2013

Anti-depressants 'linked to type 2 diabetes'

People prescribed anti-depressants should be aware they could be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, say UK researchers.

The University of Southampton team looked at available medical studies and found evidence the two were linked. But there was no proof that one necessarily caused the other. It may be that people taking anti-depressants put on weight which, in turn, increases their diabetes risk, the team told Diabetes Care journal. Or the drugs themselves may interfere with blood sugar control. Dr Matthew Hobbs of Diabetes UK
 
Their analysis of 22 studies involving thousands of patients on anti-depressants could not single out any class of drug or type of person as high risk. Prof Richard Holt and colleagues say more research is needed to investigate what factors lie behind the findings.

And they say doctors should keep a closer check for early warning signs of diabetes in patients who have been prescribed these drugs.With 46 million anti-depressant prescriptions a year in the UK, this potential increased risk is worrying, they say.

More on this story here.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, I've learned from my own experiences that eating issues is just one aspect of a bigger set of dysfunctional lifestyle issues. When I started to food journal and carefully select my food, many other aspects of my life got happier too. I also figured out that I needed to place moments with family and friends in much higher priority than food. So this research makes sense, based upon my experience. :D

Kath said...

I doubt many Drs will follow advice to check for early warning signs of diabetes.t
perhaps they could issue a warning though before prescribing.
I suppose these recommendaions have to be made after such findings - but the NHS is not forced to listen or act upon them.


Anonymous said...

Once again this shows the absolute care that must be given with medication, and how it can trigger the body to make an un-wanted response.

Kay