Higher score of diabetes eating problem survey-revised (DEPS-R) is associated with poor glycemic control among Brazilian patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM): A brief report

Abstract

Background and aims: The diabetes eating problem survey-revised (DEPS-R) questionnaire is a specific and valuable tool for assessing disturbed eating behavior in type 1 diabetes mellitus. The literature suggests an association between a higher DEPS-R score and worse metabolic control; however, these figures have not been described in patients from Latin America.

Methods: We evaluated 58 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus from a Brazilian outpatient clinic using the DEPS-R questionnaire.

Results: Overall, 23 participants with a high risk for high eating disorder behaviors exhibited significantly increased hemoglobin A1c levels compared with 35 patients with a DEPS-R score <20.

Conclusions: Our data support that the presence of a DEPS-R score >20 negatively affects the metabolic control of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Brazil.

Keywords: Brazil; DEPS-R questionnaire; Diabulimia; Eating disorders; Glucose metabolic control; Type 1 diabetes mellitus.