Eating disorders among people with and without type 1 diabetes: incidence and treatment in a nationwide population-based cohort

Aims/hypothesis

Eating disorders are over-represented in type 1 diabetes and are associated with an increased risk of complications, but it is unclear whether type 1 diabetes affects the treatment of eating disorders. We assessed incidence and treatment of eating disorders in a nationwide sample of individuals with type 1 diabetes and diabetes-free control individuals.

Methods

Our study comprised 11,055 individuals aged <30 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998–2010, and 11,055 diabetes-free control individuals matched for age, sex and hospital district. We ascertained incidence of eating disorders from hospital records using Poisson regression. Eating disorder treatment was assessed by new prescriptions for psychotropic medications and hospital treatment for eating disorders.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 13.1 years, there were 175 incident cases of eating disorders among individuals with type 1 diabetes and 75 among the control individuals (adjusted incidence rate ratio 2.35; 95% CI 1.80, 3.09). The prescription of psychotropic medications was similar among eating disorder patients with and without type 1 diabetes. However, those with type 1 diabetes received outpatient hospital treatment for their eating disorder less often than those without diabetes (mean 3.32 vs 5.33 outpatient care visits per year [adjusted difference 1.24; 95% CI 0.39, 2.08]).

Conclusions/interpretation

People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with eating disorders than their diabetes-free peers. However, they receive less outpatient hospital treatment for their eating disorders despite their greater risk for major adverse health outcomes. These findings emphasise the need for targeted eating disorder treatment for people with type 1 diabetes.

Graphical Abstract