OBJECTIVES: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are known to have poorer quality of life and more depressive symptoms than those without diabetes, yet the impact may be in part due to comorbid conditions.  This study compared quality of life and depression among adults with T2DM and comorbid hypertension (HTN) and obesity with adults reporting T2DM only. METHODS: Respondents to the Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD), a large US survey, self-reported their height, weight, and comorbid conditions, and completed the Short Form- 12 (SF-12) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, depression assessment).  Respondents reporting T2DM and HTN and obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) were identified and compared with a T2DM-only group. RESULTS: Respondents with T2DM and comorbid HTN and obesity (n = 1292) were similar to T2DM-only respondents (n = 349) in race, education, smoking, and cardiovascular disease history (all p>0.05), but were younger and were more likely to be men and have lower income (p<0.01).  Respondents with T2DM, HTN and obesity had significantly lower Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (37.3 and 50.9, respectively) than T2DM-only respondents (45.8 and 53.5, respectively, p<0.0001).  Mean PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher among T2DM respondents with comorbid HTN and obesity (5.0 vs. 2.5, p<0.0001), indicating greater depression burden.  Approximately 16.5% of respondents with T2DM, HTN and obesity had moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥15), compared with 6.1% of respondents with T2DM only (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: SHIELD respondents with T2DM, HTN and obesity report a lower quality of both physical and mental health and more depression symptoms than the T2DM-only group.  More research is needed to determine whether the poor quality of life and greater depression in this population affects self-management of their diabetes and comorbid conditions.