Shedding light on eating disorders in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: insights and implications

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex medical conditions that pose a considerable health burden for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). EDs in individuals with T1DM are linked to poor metabolic control, which heightens the risk of diabetes complications. Consequently, regular screening for EDs is essential. This study investigates the prevalence of EDs in adolescents with T1DM, investigating the associations with diabetes duration, pubertal stage, glycemic control, and diabetes-related complications. In this cross-sectional study, 350 adolescents (155 males, 195 females) with T1DM, aged 12-18, were recruited from Mansoura University Children's Hospital. Participants completed the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) questionnaire, with scores ≥ 20 prompting clinical interviews to confirm EDs. Clinical data, including HbA1c, BMI, and body composition, were analyzed. Socioeconomic status (SES) and family factors were assessed. The prevalence of EDs was 22.6%, including other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) (68.4%), binge eating (11.4%), bulimia nervosa (7.6%), avoidant restrictive (7.6%), and anorexia nervosa (5.1%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the significant predictors of ED in the study cohort were diabetes duration (OR = 1.75 (1.66-1.84), p < 0.001), and HbA1c (OR = 5.94 (2.4-14.6), p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adolescents with EDs had higher (SES), more family conflicts, longer diabetes duration, and were more prone to diabetic nephropathy and poor glycemic control. Screening for EDs is recommended from pre-adolescence through early adulthood. What Is Known: • Adolescents with T1DM are more vulnerable to develop EDs compared to their peers without T1DM What Is New: • The DEPS-R and DSM-V were useful clinical tools for screening and for diagnosis of EDs respectively among adolescents with T1DM • We advise to screen for EDs in adolescents with T1DM who aged around 13.6 years, at Tanner stage 3, with duration of T1DM >5 years, and/or with HbA1c >7.5.