Objective: To examine whether maternal depressive symptoms predict diabetes-related health care utilization and charges in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
Method: Mothers of adolescents ages 11-18 with Type 1 diabetes completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale at enrollment and at 12-month follow-up. Demographic and disease-related variables, including HbA1c, were also assessed. Health care utilization data and charges for diabetes-related care (i.e., endocrine clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations) for the period of 12 and 24 months following enrollment were assessed.
Results: Maternal depressive symptoms at enrollment predicted higher utilization/charges at 12- and 24-month follow-up, after controlling for demographic and disease-related variables and adolescent depressive symptoms. High maternal depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with $8,405 additional charges over the next 2 years. Adolescents of mothers with high depressive symptoms were twice as likely to have an emergency room visit and three times as likely to have a hospitalization.
Conclusion: Maternal depressive symptoms are an independent predictor of health care utilization and charges in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Interventions aimed at identifying and treating depressive symptoms in mothers could not only enhance caregiver quality of life but could also be economically advantageous for payers and providers.
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