There is no connection between depression in elderly people with diabetes and their ability to manage their disease, according to a new study.

Researchers at SUNY Upstate University, Syracuse, NY, studied nearly 1,600 elderly diabetic Medicare beneficiaries. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: clinical intervention and usual care. Researchers found that depression did not predict a change in blood sugar control in patients, regardless of their study group.

Researchers concluded that depression is not a factor in diabetes control and should not be used to exclude depressed elderly from programs designed to improve how well they manage their diabetes, researchers concluded. The study was published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.