Type 2 diabetes and depression via microvascular dysfunction, neurodegeneration, inflammation, advanced glycation end products ( AGEs ), and arterial stiffness
Main finding · Incident clinically relevant depressive symptomsResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 1.37 95% CI 1.13–1.65Authors' conclusion
The association between type 2 diabetes and a higher risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms is partly mediated by microvascular dysfunction, neurodegeneration, AGEs and arterial stiffness.
Study context
- Population
- The Maastricht Study participants; mean age 59.4 years (SD 8.6), 51.3% women, 23.6% T2D
- Participants
- 6,091 participants
- Exposure
- T2D vs no T2D
- Outcome
- Incident clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥10), assessed yearly
- Follow-up
- Median 8.1 (IQR 4.2, 10.1) years
Methodological detailsmediation analysis
- Mediation analysis
Main finding
Incident clinically relevant depressive symptoms
Hazard ratio
1.37
95% CI 1.13–1.65
T2Dvs No T2D
HR 1.37 (95% CI 1.13–1.65)
As reported in the abstract
- Proportion mediated by microvascular dysfunction
- 10.4% (95% CI 3.6%, 17.2%)
- Proportion mediated by neurodegeneration
- 12.1% (95% CI 3.9%, 20.3%)
- Proportion mediated by AGEs
- 5.4% (95% CI 3.0%, 8.8%)
- Proportion mediated by arterial stiffness
- 8.4% (95% CI 3.3%, 13.5%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Type 2 diabetes and depression via microvascular dysfunction, neurodegeneration, inflammation, advanced glycation end products ( AGEs ), and arterial stiffness. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 19 June 2025. doi:10.
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