Diabulimia: A Risky Trend Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Poor adherence leads to worse glycemic control and increased complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Diabulimia characterizes patients with T1DM who skip or use less insulin for weight loss purposes. The study objectives were to determine: (1) the prevalence of diabulimia among adult patients with T1DM, (2) compare patients with and without diabulimia, and (3) identify factors that may place individuals at higher risk of diabulimia. METHODS: A 40-item, web-based survey was administered to 21 T1DM discussion boards, Listservs, and social media outlets. The survey assessed demographics, diabetes management, psychiatric diagnoses, and screened for diabulimia. Individuals who reported intentionally skipping or using less insulin than directed for the purpose of weight loss or to prevent weight gain in the past 12 months were classified as having diabulimia. RESULTS: Of the 225 participants who completed the survey, 8.9% had diabulimia. Patients with diabulimia had elevated hemoglobin A1C (A1C) levels (8.4% vs 6.9%; P = .014), higher rates of a diabetes-related emergency department visits or hospitalization (30.0% vs 13.2%; P = .042), and higher rates of a major depressive disorder diagnosis (40.0% vs 11.5%; P < .001) than patients without diabulimia. Factors associated with diabulimia included high A1C levels (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI [1.08-1.91]; P = .014) and a major depressive disorder diagnosis (odds ratio, 4.87; 95% CI [1.31-18.22]; P = .018). CONCLUSION: Approximately 1 in 11 adult patients with T1DM screened positive for diabulimia. Higher A1C levels and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder were associated with diabulimia.

Insulin restriction or omission in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a meta-synthesis of individuals' experiences of diabulimia.

OBJECTIVE: Unique to individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a disordered eating behaviour whereby insulin is deliberately restricted or omitted. Despite growing research in this area, experiential perspectives of individuals remain understudied. Therefore, this meta-synthesis sought to explore the experiences of individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus by identifying, analysing and synthesising existing knowledge concerning this misuse of insulin. DESIGN: Meta-aggregative techniques were employed to generate synthesised findings related to individuals' understanding and experience, physical and psychological impacts, support and treatment-related needs, noted in twelve studies. RESULTS: A multifaceted relationship with insulin misuse, beyond weight control was identified. Many individuals experienced diabetes-related complications alongside increased distress, loss of control and feelings of regret, guilt, and shame. Almost all individuals valued support from those who shared a 'diabulimic' identity; peer support appeared more conducive to recovery than support from others including formal support services. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-synthesis highlights the need for empathic, collaborative care, and proactive prevention and intervention. The findings highlight the value of peer support, the need for increased knowledge among informal supports, training among multidisciplinary teams and support services, and crucially the development of evidence-based treatments informed by the behaviour as a unique distinct construct.

Comportamiento clínico y enfoque terapéutico de los trastornos alimentarios en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 / Clinical Behavior and Therapeutic Approach of Eating Disorders in People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Introducción: El comportamiento clínico de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y el enfoque terapéutico de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria se complejizan cuando estos coinciden en una misma persona. Objetivo: Describir algunos aspectos del comportamiento clínico y enfoque terapéutico de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura relevante sobre el tema en el primer semestre de 2019. Se utilizaron como buscadores de información científica a Pubmed y a Google Académico. Como criterios iniciales de elegibilidad, se evaluaron artículos de revisión, de investigación y páginas Web que, en general, tenían menos de 10 años de publicados, en idioma español, portugués e inglés, y que hicieran referencia específicamente al tema de estudio a través del título. Fueron excluidos los artículos que no cumplieron con estas condiciones. Esto permitió el estudio de 65 artículos, de los cuales 33 fueron referenciados. Conclusiones: El comportamiento clínico de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 combina síntomas y signos propios de ambas dolencias. Ambas entidades nosológicas se deben prevenir, pesquisar, diagnosticar e intervenir desde los servicios de atención primaria de salud, a través de una perspectiva interdisciplinaria. El tratamiento endocrinológico, unido a la terapia individual, la psicoeducación relacionada con los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, la terapia familiar y un plan de tratamiento integral para la salud mental son imprescindibles desde el primer nivel de atención(AU)

Introduction: The clinical behavior of type 1 diabetes mellitus and the therapeutic approach to eating disorders become more complex when they coincide in the same person. Objective: To describe some aspects of the clinical behavior and therapeutic approach of eating disorders in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A search of relevant literature on the subject was carried out in the first semester of 2019. We used, as search engines for scientific information, Pubmed and Google Scholar. As initial eligibility criteria, we evaluated review articles, research articles, and web pages which, in general, were published less than 10 years ago, in Spanish, Portuguese and English, and which made, in their titles, specific reference to the topic of the study. Articles that did not meet these conditions were excluded. This allowed the study of 65 articles, of which 33 were referenced. Conclusions: The clinical behavior of eating disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus combines symptoms and signs typical of both conditions. Both nosological entities must be prevented, screened, diagnosed and intervened, starting in primary health care services, through an interdisciplinary perspective. Endocrinological treatment, together with individual therapy, eating disorders-related psychoeducation, family therapy, and a comprehensive treatment plan for mental health are essential, starting in the first level of care(AU)