Biomarkers of inflammation and improvement in depressive symptoms in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: differential associations with depressive symptom clusters
Authors' conclusion
Higher baseline levels of multiple biomarkers of inflammation were associated with greater depression reduction in type 2 diabetes but lower depression reduction in type 1 diabetes. There were also diabetes type-specific differences in the associations with symptom clusters of depression. This suggests that different inflammation-related pathways may be relevant for the response to depression treatment in people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- People with T1D or T2D and depressive symptoms, completing baseline and 1-year follow-up; depressive symptoms by CES-Dcompleted baseline and 1-year follow-up
- Participants
- 332 vs 189
- Exposure
- Baseline levels of 76 inflammatory biomarkers vs 1-year change in depressive symptoms, T1D vs T2D
- T1Dn = 332
- T2Dn = 189
- Outcome
- 1-year change in depressive symptoms (CES-D) associated with baseline serum levels of 76 biomarkers of inflammation (multiple linear regression)
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Methodological detailspooled analysis of three studies (DIAMOS, ECCE HOMO and DDCT)
- Pooled analysis of three studies (DIAMOS, ECCE HOMO and DDCT)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of baseline biomarker levels with reduction in depressive symptoms
| Group | Value | Biomarkers associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms | Biomarkers associated with lower reductions in depressive symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2D | β 0.128 to 0.255 | 26 | |
| T1D | β −0.189 to −0.094 | 13 |
Value
T2Dβ 0.128 to 0.255
T1Dβ −0.189 to −0.094
Biomarkers associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms
T2D26
T1D— not stated in the abstract
Biomarkers associated with lower reductions in depressive symptoms
T2D— not stated in the abstract
T1D13
- Between T2D and T1D: P for interaction < 0.05 — significant for 33 biomarkers
- T2D: higher levels associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms
- P < 0.05
- T1D: higher levels linked with lower reductions in depressive symptoms
- P < 0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Depressive symptom clusters · 1 year
- Positive associations in T2D strongest for improvements in cognitive-affective and anhedonia symptoms
- Inverse associations in T1D strongest for improvements in somatic symptoms
Original publication
Biomarkers of inflammation and improvement in depressive symptoms in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: differential associations with depressive symptom clusters. Diabetologia. Published 8 July 2025. doi:10.
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