[Eating disorders in young adolescents with type 1 diabetes]

We aimed at determining the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) in young adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

60 boys and 38 girls with type 1 diabetes and 321 boys and 254 girls, age-matched non-diabetic controls. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and semistructured diagnostic interview on Eating Disorders Examination (EDE) were used. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin and insulin manipulation for weight loss were evaluated.

No anorexia or bulimia were found in diabetic patients and non-diabetic controls. Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) were more prevalent in diabetic patients than in controls, both in boys (1.7% vs 0.9%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; CI 95%, 0.2-17.6) and girls (5.3% vs 1.6%; OR = 3.2; CI 95%, 0.6-17.2). Sub-threshold ED were more common in male diabetic patients than in non-diabetic peers (10% vs 4.4%; OR = 2.4; CI 95%, 0.9-6.6), and in female diabetic patients than in non-diabetic peers (10.5% vs 9.9%; OR = 1.1; CI 95%, 0.4-3.2). No statistical differences were found regarding these results. Glycated hemoglobin values were higher in diabetic patients with ED (9.7% [1.52]; 5.6 [2.8], n = 13) than in those without ED (8.4% [1.5]; 5.1 [2.7], n = 85); p = 0.049. Nine diabetic patients (9.1%) manipulated insulin for weight loss.

EDNOS were more prevalent in male and female diabetic patients than in non-diabetic peers. Sub-threshold ED were more prevalent in male diabetic patients than in non-diabetic peers, with no differences between female diabetic patients and their non-diabetic peers.