Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are expected to follow numerous dietary recommendations which can be difficult to adhere and that can cause changes in their eating behavior. Few studies have examined prevalence rates eating disorders in adults with type 2 DM despite the fact that DM is highly correlated with overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of disordered eating behavior in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients received oral hypoglycemic agentsusing EAT-26 questionnaire

Method: 342 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiveing oral hypoglycemic agentswere examined. The mean age 64 (58–69) years, mean body mass index (BMI)- 31.6(28.4–35.1) kg/m², duration of diabetes mellitus was 6(2–10) years. The group of women consisted of 223 patients (the mean age 64 (58–50) years, the mean BMI 31.6 (28.6–35.7) kg/m², the mean duration of DM 6 (5–10) years, the group of men include 108 patients, mean age 63 (56.5–68) years, BMI 31.3(28.3–33.9) kg/m², duration of DM 6 (2–10) years. There were no statistic differences in age (U = 11088, 5 P = 0.077), BMI (U = 11659.0 P = 0.276), duration of DM (U = 8461.5 P = 0.800) in the subgroups. The EAT-26 questionnaire was used in order to identify the high-risk subjects for eating disorders. The cut off 20 was used as a criteria for diagnosis.

Results: The prevalence of disordered eating behavior according to the results of cut off EAT-26 questionnaire in type 2 DM patients was 18.1% (62 of 342 patients had the score 20 and higher). The mean score of EAT-26 was 11(6–16). Statistical differences were revealed in the EAT –26 score depending on gender (U = 10026.0 P = 0.002). The mean EAT score in subgroup of men was lower 9 (5–14) than in the subgroup of women 12 (7–17). The prevalence of disordered eating in the subgroup of men was 14.8% (16 of 108 patients). In the subgroup of women 20.6% (48 of 233 patients).

Conclusion: The prevalence of disordered eating behavior in type 2 DM patients tested by EAT-26 questionnaire was 18.1% (in the subgroup of men 14.8%, in the subgroup of women 20.6%).