Depression in people with diabetes can make their condition deteriorate drastically, doctors have warned.

Research has shown that depression is associated with a reduction in blood glucose levels and an increased risk of complications such as heart disease and retinopathy.

Diabetes sufferers are twice as susceptible to depression than other people.

Dr Patrick J. Lustman of the Washington University Schoool of Medicine, one of the world's leading diabetes authorities, is currently carrying out clinical trials to determine the effect of depression treatment on mood and diabetes outcome.

He told the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Glasgow: "The emotional impact of diabetes should not be ignored.

"Depression in people with diabetes is especially worrying as it affects diabetes control and the risk of long term complications.

"It is essential that health care professionals take into account both the physical and psychological aspects of diabetes."

Around 120,000 Scots are currently affected by the illness, however, experts warned this week that the number will "explode" over the next 10 years

They are calling on politicians and the health service to invest more money in the disease, a major cause of heart and kidney disease, blindness and obesity, before it is too late.

The president of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Mr John Nerup, said: "Diabetes is like a time bomb ticking away and waiting to explode.

"It will explode in the face of the authorities and politicians who refuse to recognise it."

From 2dayuk.com