OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between urinary cortisol and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: The sample consisted of 40 patients with type 2 diabetes from the diabetes control league of the discipline of endocrinology of the HCFM-USP. Measures consisted of urinary cortisol and depression symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: The Beck Depression Inventory had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. There was a statistically significant correlation between urinary cortisol and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (Spearman r = 0.52, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The Beck Depression Inventory was found to be a reliable indicator of depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes. Urine cortisol is associated with the presence of depressive symptoms.
Hydrocortisone; Depression; Diabetes Mellitus, type 2; Neuroendocrinology
