The first aim of the study was to gather epidemiological data on approximately 5,000 patients with diabetes in nine primary care clinics. The purpose of this epidemiological study was to learn about the prevalence of depression in a population-based sample of patients with diabetes as well as to examine the impact of depression on: symptom burden, self-management (diet, exercise, taking medication), functioning, blood glucose levels, health and cardiac risk behaviors such as smoking and sedentary lifestyle, mortality and medical costs for patients with diabetes.
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The second aim of the PATHWAYS study was to enroll approximately 330 patients with diabetes and depression in a randomized trial comparing two different approaches to treating depression. Patients were randomized into groups receiving either collaborative care (a model in which a team approach is taken in treating the patient’s depression) or usual primary care. Researchers were then able to study which model had a greater positive impact on both depression, diabetes, and medical costs in these patients.
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