Factors Associated with Risk of Diabulimia in Greek Adult Population with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabulimia is associated with “resistance to treatment”, impaired glycemic control, and increased risk of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to explore the possible lifestyle and diet factors associated with diabulimia using the “Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised” (DEPS-R), a questionnaire assessing the risk of diabulimia in patients with T1DM. Methods: 100 outpatients with a diagnosis of T1DM for over a year, from two hospitals in Athens, Greece were asked to complete a questionnaire about their medical history and lifestyle behaviors along with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Beck Depression Scale (BDI-II) and the DEPS-R. Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis showed statistically significant associations between DEPS-R score and HbA1c% levels (b = 4.447, 95% CI 3.220–5.675), sex (male) (b = −4.413, 95% CI −8.778–−0.047, weight perception higher than normal (b = 9.896, 95% CI 5.266–14.526), time spent walking minutes per week (b= −0.019, 95% CI −0.031–−0.006), having received diabetes nutritional education (b = −5.128, 95%CI −10.141–−0.115), eating breakfast (b = −6.441, 95% CI −11.047–−1.835) and having a first relative diagnosed with an eating disorder (b = 6.164, 95%CI 0.030–12.298). The presence of these factors could help highlight the profile of potential individuals at risk of diabulimia and enhance preventive interventions.