Background: Diabetes is known to be associated with significant depression, which can result in poorer clinical outcomes, including increased mortality. Little is known about the prevalence of depression among Torres Strait Islander adults with diabetes.

Objectives: To examine self reported depression and clinical markers in Torres Strait Islander adults with diabetes using the PhQ-9.

Method: Face-to-face interviews, including – PhQ-9, income, employment, education, lifestyle behaviour measures and clinical data (Hba1c, eGFR, Cholesterol, BP, weight and waist) in a sample of 188 adults with T2DM in 5 remote outer islands of the Torres Strait.

Data Analysis: Levels of depression were compared across demographic and behavioural variables and clinical measures were analysed by categories of depression. Non-parametric tests were used to detect differences between groups and multiple linear regression was used to predict PhQ-9 scores.

Results: Seventy-three men  (mean age=58.4,), and 115 women (mean age=57.8) completed interviews. The mean PhQ-9 score was 5.1 (mild): 42% of respondents scored between 0-4 (non-minimal), 46% scored between 5-9 (mild) and 12% scored 10+ (Moderate –severe). Mean HbA1c was 8.3 % (67.4 mmol). The correlation coefficient was 0.006 between HbA1c and PhQ-9 scores (P= 0.626) however, exercise in minutes (= -0.01, p<0.001) and screen time in hours (= 0.12, p<0.001) were significant predictors of depression after adjusting for all other study variables.

Conclusion: This sample of remote living Torres Strait Islanders reported relatively low rates of depression compared to national samples, and depression was not related to glycemic control. Exercise and screen time were the strongest predictors of depression based on PHQ-9 scores. This represents an opportunity for health promotion.