EATING DISORDERS AND INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have been re ported to occur in Type I diabetes mellitus. Although prevalence estim ates vary, the most rigorous studies yield rates similar to the popula tion at large. Intentional insulin omission is more common, especially in young diabetic women, and at times may indicate an eating disorder in Type I diabetic patients. Both diagnosable eating disorders and in tentional insulin omission are associated with worse glycemic control and higher rates of secondary diabetic complications. Recognition of t hese conditions, followed by carefully coordinated treatment involving both diabetes care providers and mental health providers, is necessar y to improve treatment outcome.