As if those suffering from diabetes don't already have their hands full, depression apparently goes hand in hand with the disease, but despite their tandem, new study finds that treating both at the same time showed more improvements than treating just one of them.

In the study, which spanned 12 weeks and had 180 participants, the patients who were treated for both depression and type 2 diabetes showed more improvements when they were treated for the two simultaneously, according to the researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

After getting simultaneous treatment for depression and diabetes, 61% had better blood sugar test results, while 59% had a reduction in depression symptoms, instead of just 36% improvement in blood sugar tests and 31% reduction in depression symptoms when treated separately.

The researchers noted that depression is a risk factor for diabetes, and diabetes in turn, increases the risk of depression. The researchers added that depression is common among those with diabetes, and this contributes to poor adherence to diabetes medication regimens.

However, most people with diabetes do not start out with depression, but rather, diabetes only increase the risk of getting depressed, according to the American Diabetes Association.

How it Can Spiral out of Control

But why does diabetes increase the risk of depression? According to Maria Collazo-Clavell, MD, of Mayo Clinic, the relationship between the two is not yet fully understood, but one thing is clear: the two goes hand in hand.

Collazo-Clavell explained that the stress someone gets from managing diabetes can lead to depression, but not only that, the complications and health problems that those with diabetes face may also worsen the symptoms of depression.

When it comes to depression's role, he or she may not be able to manage diabetes properly, especially when they cannot communicate or think clearly. Depression can also lead to making poor life choices, leading to unhealthy eating, less exercise, maybe smoking, and even weight gain.

Gaining weight may not be the best thing that can happen to those who are already suffering from diabetes. That's because a new study done by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute found that the size of the waistline, more specifically, when someone is obese, can contribute to premature death.

Based on the 20-year study, those with big hips and a small waist is at the lowest end of the risk scale, compared to people with small hips and a large waist who have the highest risk for metabolic diseases, explained the lead author Dr. Adrian Cameron, which means more trouble for those with diabetes as they are risking their very lives.