TY - JOUR
T1 - Unexpected lower prevalence of depression in patients with diabetes
T2 - Selection bias in a waiting room population
AU - Knol, Miriam J.
AU - Heerdink, Eibert R.
AU - Egberts, Antoine C. G.
AU - Grobbee, Diederick E.
AU - Geerlings, Mirjam I.
PY - 2009/5
Y1 - 2009/5
N2 - BACKGROUND: We initially studied the association between diabetes and depression in general practice attendees. Subsequently, we investigated whether our findings were influenced by selection bias. METHODS: Unexpectedly, the prevalence of depression was lower in diabetes patients (4%) than in subjects without diabetes (14%). To explore the possibility of selection bias, we first described the selection process from the general population to our study population and provided prevalence data of diabetes and depression in the different populations based on literature and our data. Second, we performed a sensitivity analysis and described possible reasons for selection. Third, we studied the association between other chronic diseases and depression. RESULTS: These analyses suggested that the lower prevalence of depression in diabetes patients was due to selection bias. Visiting the general practitioner for a control visit seemed to play a role in this selection process. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated the potential for selection bias in a waiting room population. The degree of bias depended on the exposure under study. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
AB - BACKGROUND: We initially studied the association between diabetes and depression in general practice attendees. Subsequently, we investigated whether our findings were influenced by selection bias. METHODS: Unexpectedly, the prevalence of depression was lower in diabetes patients (4%) than in subjects without diabetes (14%). To explore the possibility of selection bias, we first described the selection process from the general population to our study population and provided prevalence data of diabetes and depression in the different populations based on literature and our data. Second, we performed a sensitivity analysis and described possible reasons for selection. Third, we studied the association between other chronic diseases and depression. RESULTS: These analyses suggested that the lower prevalence of depression in diabetes patients was due to selection bias. Visiting the general practitioner for a control visit seemed to play a role in this selection process. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated the potential for selection bias in a waiting room population. The degree of bias depended on the exposure under study. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=67651115699&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19289958
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e31819d110d
DO - https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e31819d110d
M3 - Article
C2 - 19289958
SN - 1044-3983
VL - 20
SP - 419
EP - 423
JO - Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
JF - Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
IS - 3
ER -