Introduction & Objective: Despite evidence associating T1D in young people with disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (DEBS), there is scarce evidence in the growing number of older adults with T1D. We explored the association of DEBS with demographic and clinical outcomes among older adults with T1D.
Methods: Adults 65+ years with T1D from a university-affiliated hospital system were recruited via clinical messaging, e-mail, and in-person to complete a one-time electronic survey (Sept-Nov 2023) that included the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R)). Clinical data were collected from the EHR. Total DEPS-R scores were plotted against HbA1c and BMI.
Results: The DEPS-R was completed by 77 older adults (age 71.3 ± 4.1, 93.5% non-Hispanic White) with T1D (duration 33.5 ± 18.1). Mean (sd) HbA1c was 6.83 (1.12) and mean (sd) BMI was 27.3 (4.70). Mean DEPS-R Score was 11.5 (6.05), with 5.2% (n=4) classified as having clinically significant DEBs (DEPS-R score >20). We found a non-linear association between the DEPS-R score and BMI and HbA1c, with increasing DEPS-R score correlating with increasing HbA1c and BMI until DEPS-R score of 20 (Figure).
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore DEBS in older adults with T1D using the DEPS-R. The relationships between scores and clinical outcomes suggest the instrument may confer construct validity in this age group.
A. Kahkoska: None. G. Ercolino: None. J. Sprinkles: None. N.R. Gopisetty: None. A. Fruik: None. R. Muthukkumar: None. X. Qu: None. L.A. Young: Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, vTv Therapeutics, Beta Bionics, Inc., Corcept Therapeutics, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bayer Inc., Jaeb Center for Health Research. E.J. Mayer-Davis: None. A. Cristello Sarteau: None.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (K12TR004416)
