Multimorbidity between Type 2 Diabetes and Depressive Symptoms in Mexico: Prevalence and Associated Factors From the Nationally Representative ENSANUT 2022 Survey

ABSTRACT Aims Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and depression are major public health challenges, with Mexico ranking among the countries with the highest prevalence of both. Research into the bidirectional relationship between the two conditions in Mexico is scarse. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and depression, the co‐occurrence of these conditions, the strength of their association, and socio‐demographic, and geographical factors contributing to their prevalence in Mexico. Methods We used data from the 2022 National Health and Nutrition Survey. T2DM was self‐report. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the bidirectional relationship and associated factors. Results A high prevalence of depressive symptoms (16.7%) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM, 10.9%) was found in a representative sample for the Mexican population ( n =11 913). Participants with T2DM had higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR:1.78, 95 95% CI: 1.48–2.14), and those with depressive symptoms were also more likely to have T2DM (OR:1.97, 95% CI:1.52–2.54) for ages 20–59, and for ages 60+ (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.27–2.09). Women were more likely to report depression than men (OR:2.14, 95% CI:1.83–2.51), and older adults (60+) had over three times higher odds of depression compared to younger adults (OR:3.53, 95% CI:3.00–4.15). Higher education was protective against both conditions, with individuals having high school or higher education showing lower odds of depression (OR:0.41, 95% CI: 0.31–0.53) and T2DM (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37–0.74). Conclusions Integrated strategies to address the co‐occurrence of T2DM and depression are needed, particularly among vulnerable and older populations.