Comparing the Suicidal Ideation in Diabetic Patients Receiving Insulin with Oral Medication

Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases which can be accompanied with suicide. The study was conducted to assess and compare the prevalence of suicidal ideation in diabetic patients receiving insulin and oralmedication treatment.

In this cross-sectional study, 2000 patients with diabetes supported by diabetes institute of Rafsanjan in 2017. After giving conscious permission, the patients filled in a demographic checklist and Beck suicidal ideation questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS-16.

Prevalence of suicidal ideation in patients with diabetes receiving insulin was 3.2% (n=32) and in people receivingoral medication treatment was 3.1% (n=31). There were no association between suicidal ideation and the method of diabetes treatment. Suicidal ideation was more prevalent in illiterate people; however, no significant relationship was seen between suicidal ideation and education level. Also, there was no significant relationship between marital status and suicidal ideation. There was no relationship between suicidal thoughts and the method of treatment (P-value: 0.05).

Suicidal ideation is more prevalent in diabetic patients, but there were not differences between two group under insulin therapy and oral anti-diabetic agents.