ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERCEIVED STRESS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AT THE CISOP ENDOCRINOLOGY OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Abstract

This article sought to investigate the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus treated at the endocrinology outpatient clinic of CISOP, in Cascavel-PR. The study evaluated the relationship between emotional and clinical factors in diabetic individuals, aiming to understand how stress may influence the intensity of depressive symptoms in this population. This was a field research study of an applied nature, with a quantitative approach and descriptive, explanatory, and correlational characteristics. Data collection was carried out through a sociodemographic questionnaire and the application of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in 69 patients diagnosed with T2DM. The results demonstrated a statistically significant association between higher levels of perceived stress and greater intensity of depressive symptoms. A predominance of females, a high frequency of systemic arterial hypertension, and an association between depressive symptoms, recent treatment changes, and difficulty sleeping were observed. It was concluded that emotional factors directly influence the management of T2DM, reinforcing the importance of multiprofessional follow-up and the inclusion of mental health in the comprehensive care of these patients.