Eating Disorders in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease commonly associated with eating disorders especially in adolescents. Objectives to assess occurrence of eating disorders, and its nature, associated risk factors, comorbidities, and consequences in a cohort of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 138 patients were recruited to complete 3 questionnaires;Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and Eat Behavior questionnaire (ORTO-15) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire version 6 (EDE-Q6) for assessment of any eating disorder (ED). Results Patients were categorized as having an ED according to predetermined cutoff value for each questionnaire. Of the 138 patients, 24 (17.4%) had risk for eating disorders by EAT-26 score, 53 (38.4%) have got Orthorexia nervosa by ORTO-15 and 45 (32.6%) were having a disordered eating behavior by EDE-Q6. Patients with risk of eating disorders had lower mean ORTO-15 score as compared to those without (p = 0.01), and higher mean Global EDE-Q6 (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between EAT-26 scores and both ORTO-15 and EDE-Q6 scores, (p < 0.05). As for risk factors, a positive correlation was found between EAT-26 scores and both age (p < 0.0001) and BMI (p < 0.0001). Also, ORTO-15 score correlated with duration of diabetes (p = 0.0418). Diabetic ketoacidosis, peripheral neuropathy and microalbuminuria occurred frequently in patients with any high score of the 3 questionnaires. Hypoglycemic episodes were reported more in those with high EAT-26 or global EDE-Q6 scores. Conclusion Subclinical eating disorders and abnormal eating behaviors are common in Egyptian adolescents with type I diabetes.