Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) is a common, complex comorbidity of type 1 diabetes with high morbidity and mortality risk. T1DE currently lacks a clear definition, diagnostic differentiation into phenotypes and clinical severity grading, which results in exclusion of people with T1DE from accessing appropriate treatments to improve outcomes. We developed anonymised T1DE case vignettes from the baseline assessments of the Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY) and the London-T1DE pilot service at King’s College Hospital for people with diabetes and severe eating disorder, integrating detailed biomedical and psychiatric data. In an iterative process, phenotypes of T1DE were developed, the T1DE vignettes were sorted into the different phenotypes and a clinical severity grading framework was developed. The 70 participants (94.3
Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) affects 8–37.1
This review finds that co-existing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and binge eating disorder (BED) may have significant individual and societal costs due to health and socioeconomic consequences. BED may worsen T2D management, potentially raising HbA1c levels and complicating treatment. ≤ 25% of T2D patients have BED, yet research and treatment are limited. Studies indicate that T2D treatment can trigger or worsen binge eating due to the focus on diet, exercise, and weight. Effective screening and tailored, evidence-based interventions are needed for this dual diagnosis to improve physical and psychosocial health outcomes.
Background:Binge eating disorder may affect one in four individuals with type 2 diabetes, potentially leading to negative health outcomes. However, binge eating often goes unaddressed in diabetes care due to the absence of screening tools and the reluctance of patients to seek help due to shame and guilt. Objective:The study aim was to develop acceptable and feasible diabetes-specific dialogue tools to facilitate discussions about binge eating between patients with type 2 diabetes and clinicians, serving as a first step toward the detection and management of potential binge eating in this population. Design:The development and evaluation of the dialogue tools were conducted according to the Medical Research Council's complex interventions framework. Setting:Individuals with type 2 diabetes and clinicians were recruited from a specialized regional diabetes hospital during March to September 2023. Researchers were recruited from the same hospital and relevant research networks. Participants:The co-creation process consisted of 11 workshops and 16 individual feedback meetings with people with type 2 diabetes (n = 21), clinicians (n = 16), and researchers (n = 8). Three clinicians feasibility-tested the dialogue tools (n = 24). Methods:Applying a design thinking approach, the dialogue tools were co-created with individuals with type 2 diabetes, diabetes clinicians, and researchers with diabetes and/or eating disorder expertise. The dialogue tools were feasibility tested consecutively in routine diabetes consultations. Results:The study generated three dialogue tools aiming to facilitate discussions among clinicians and patients with type 2 diabetes about the patients' i) daily thoughts about food and drink, and whether they find these burdensome, ii) eating and drinking patterns, and iii) overall eating habits. Each dialogue tool included three parts; in part one, potential eating challenges in everyday life with diabetes are described, and the purpose of the exercise embedded in the tool is described. In part two, the patient actively carries out the described exercise, and in part three, the patient and clinician discuss follow-up questions. Parts two and three were designed to help patients recognize and reflect on their eating behaviors. Potential binge eating behaviors were identified in 25 % of the consultations, while other eating challenges that could impact diabetes management were commonly discussed in the remaining consultations. Conclusions:The dialogue tools may be effective in addressing not only binge eating but also other significant eating challenges in individuals with type 2 diabetes during routine diabetes consultations. Further research is encouraged to evaluate the tools in different settings.
OBJECTIVE:Binge eating has adverse health effects and may be 10 times more common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than in the general population. Still, binge eating is not consistently addressed in diabetes treatment. People with T2D and binge eating may, therefore, seek guidance on the topic on social media. The study objective was to explore discussions about binge eating among members of a T2D-specific Facebook group. METHOD:Interactions among members of the Facebook group were observed over 8 months and supplemented by keyword searches within group content. The data were imported into NVivo12 and analyzed using Interpretive Description. RESULTS:The overarching theme described how group members exchanged guidance concerning co-existing T2D and binge eating based on personal experiences while trying to resolve co-members' misapprehensions regarding binge eating. Two subthemes were generated, describing frequently discussed topics relating to binge eating triggers and inhibitors. Triggers were confusion about the health impacts of carbohydrates and encounters with unsupportive clinicians, while inhibitors included the possibility of speaking openly about binge eating with peers and hunger cues being suppressed by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. DISCUSSION:Social media may constitute an important source of support for people with T2D and binge eating, as the topic is typically not addressed in routine care. Besides being aware of the extent of binge eating in people with T2D and the health risks involved, clinicians should keep in mind that people with both conditions may seek information on social media that can affect diabetes management.
Up to 25% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may binge eat which is almost 10 times as many as in the general population. Binge eating is associated with depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Moreover, binge eating may increase the risk of obesity and high blood glucose levels, both of which can accelerate the onset of complications to diabetes and death in people with T2D. Still, little is known about the experiences, needs, and preferences of people with T2D and binge eating that can inform and develop current and future treatment efforts. The aim of the study was therefore to gain in-depth insights into the experiences and biopsychosocial support needs of women and men with T2D and binge eating. Twenty semi-structured individual interviews (65% with females) were conducted and analyzed according to the methodology of Interpretive Description. Four themes were identified: (a) T2D and binge eating: Feeling trapped in a vicious circle; (b) Unwanted outcasts: Responding to continuous criticism; (c) Biomedical relief: Blaming and adjusting the body; and, (d) Silent struggles: Wanting to cease the secrecy. Pertinent to all themes were the guilt, shame, and worries about developing complications that the participants experienced when binge eating despite having T2D. Although binge eating triggered emotional distress, binge eating was at the same time a way of coping with such distress. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed, including the need to systematically assess and address binge eating in routine T2D care.
Aim: To validate the Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS) in a large sample of adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) from diabetes clinics in Denmark. Methods: Altogether 40 adults with T1D were interviewed to explore the content of T1-DDS in a Danish setting and to validate the translation of the T1-DDS into Danish. Subsequently, a survey including T1-DDS, the Problem Areas In Diabetes scale (PAID-20), fear of hypoglycemia, social support, and diabetes duration was answered by 2201 people with T1D. Other person characteristics were collected from the National Patient Register. HbA1c was obtained from the Clinical Laboratory Information System. Data distribution, internal consistency, convergent and construct validity, factor structure, three weeks retest, and cut-points were explored. Results: Interview data supported the relevance of all T1-DDS items for the assessment of diabetes distress among adults with T1D. The T1-DDS showed good content and acceptable construct validity, and the ability to detect high diabetes distress levels. A high correlation between T1-DDS and PAID-20 (rho = 0.91) was found. The retest scores showed a good reliability (all rho >= 0.68) with the highest variability in the Friends/Family Distress and Physician Distress subscales and the lowest variability in the Powerlessness and Eating Distress subscales of the T1-DDS. Qualitative findings pointed out relevant concerns of people with T1D, which were not included in the T1DDS. Conclusion: The study supports the use of the Danish T1-DDS, but also highlights that existing diabetes distress questionnaires including T1-DDS do not cover all potential diabetes stressors and worries.
OBJECTIVE:Valid and reliable diabetes distress assessment is essential for identifying adults with elevated levels of concern and to guide targeted support. However, assessing diabetes distress must also be feasible in time-limited settings. We aimed to identify a short-form measure of the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS-28) representing seven sources of type 1 diabetes distress that would be convenient for use in clinical practice.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:Based on the evaluation of influence and importance by 14 experts in diabetes care and research, we identified the best-performing item within each of seven sources of diabetes distress included in the T1-DDS-28. To further validate the proposed short-form measure, we used survey data from 2,016 adults living with type 1 diabetes. Validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's α, test-retest reliability analysis, and correlations with other psychosocial measures.RESULTS:We identified a short-form measure of the T1-DDS-28 consisting of seven items, each representing a source of diabetes distress. These items showed satisfactory reliability (factor loadings > 0.45; α = 0.82; test-retest correlation, r = 0.90) and validity (correlation with T1-DDS-28, r = 0.95; area under the curve = 0.91; sensitivity 93%; specificity 89%) when combined in the short-form scale (T1-DDS-7).CONCLUSIONS:We propose the T1-DDS-7 as a valid and reliable measure for routine screening of diabetes distress among adults with type 1 diabetes. In case of elevated levels of diabetes distress, we recommend that a full-scale assessment and open dialogue follow the short-form measure before determining further treatment.
In this study, we explored specific mechanisms of a board game developed to facilitate peer support among people with Type 2 diabetes attending group-based diabetes education. The game was tested with 76 people with Type 2 diabetes who participated in focus groups after the game. Data from observations of audio-recorded games and focus groups were analyzed using Interpretive Description. Six mechanisms facilitating peer support among people with Type 2 diabetes were identified: (a) entering a safe space of normality created by emotional in-game mirroring; (b) mutual in-game acknowledgment of out-of-game efforts; (c) forming relationships through in-game humor; (d) health care professionals using game rules to support group dialogues of interest to people with Type 2 diabetes; (e) being inspired by in-game exchange of tips and tricks; and (f) co-players guiding each other during the game. Peer support was inhibited by the mechanism of game rules obstructing group dialogues.
Aim To explore the outcomes of testing an analogue game to incorporate person-centredness and peer dialogues in group-based diabetes education targeting people with diabetes. Design Realist evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods to explore context, mechanisms and outcomes of the intervention. Methods In March-July 2019, the game was tested among 76 people with type 2 diabetes and 17 professionals in 19 settings across nine Danish municipalities. Data consisted of game tests, interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation and descriptive statistics. Results Outcomes of using the game were as follows: (a) a playful atmosphere; (b) active engagement; c) reflections on diabetes-specific experiences; (d) focused dialogues; (e) professionals gaining insight into the needs of participants; and (f) professionals experiencing peer dialogue as important to incorporate into education. Questionnaire responses showed that 92% people with diabetes and 94% professionals found that the game incorporated person-centredness and peer dialogues into education.
AbstractObjectiveTo explore patients’ use of the self‐monitoring app Recovery Record during 26 weeks of naturalistic eating disorder treatment.MethodsSelected patient characteristics at baseline were explored as predictors of app use using linear regression. Patients were grouped according to diagnosis (anorexia versus bulimia), and mixed‐effects analyses were used to explore differences in app use between diagnoses across four time periods (weeks 1–4; weeks 5–8; weeks 9–12; weeks 13–26).ResultsEighty‐four patients were included of which 41 had anorexia and 43 had bulimia. The total number of logs varied greatly (mean (SD): 592 (628.50)), and patient app activity almost ceased at week 13. Increasing age and no previous eating disorder treatment predicted increased app activity (p = .007; p = .039, respectively). Patients with anorexia logged over four times more often than patients with bulimia in the last time period (median (CI): 4.27 (1.28;14.31); p = .018). Time predicted declining app use (all p ≤ .007).ConclusionFuture research on long‐term app engagement should investigate associations between patients’ app use and changes in their eating disorder symptom severity over time.
OBJECTIVE The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 suggests the 5th age-adjusted body mass index (BMI) percentile as the numeric cut-off for anorexia nervosa (AN) in children and adolescents. We aimed to investigate the degree to which the 5th age-adjusted percentile as the numeric cut-off for AN in youths reflects the clinical population of patients accepted for treatment. METHOD From a specialized eating disorder clinic, 305 patients with AN below 18 years of age were grouped according to age-adjusted BMI percentiles [below the 5th (low), above the 10th (high), and between the 5th and the 10th (medium)]. The distribution of eating disorder diagnoses and severity measured by the Eating Disorder Examination was compared. RESULTS Full-syndrome anorexia nervosa (F.50.0) was found in 182 (59.5%) patients and atypical anorexia nervosa (F.50.1) in 123 patients (40.5%). The number of patients in the low, medium, and high BMI percentile groups was 189 (62.0%), 34 (11.1%), and 82 (26.9%), respectively. Patients in the low BMI group differed from patients in the medium BMI group by a lower frequency of vomiting. The high BMI group presented with more weight and shape concern than the lower BMI group. Age was not a confounder of these associations. DISCUSSION We question the applicability of the 5th BMI percentile as a substantiated cut-off for the weight criterion in anorexia nervosa in youths and argue that the cut-off should not be ascribed great clinical importance as this may hinder early detection of illness and initiation of treatment.
Background: The Recovery Record smartphone app is a self-monitoring tool for individuals recovering from an eating disorder. Unlike traditional pen-and-paper meal diaries, which are often used in eating disorder treatment, the app holds novel features, such as meal reminders, affirmations, and patient-clinician in-app linkage, the latter allowing for clinicians to continuously monitor patients' app data. Objective: To explore patients' experiences with using Recovery Record as part of outpatient eating disorder treatment. Methods: A total of 41 patients from a Danish eating disorder treatment facility were included in the study. All 41 patients participated in participant observations of individual or group treatment sessions, and 26 were interviewed about their experiences with using the app in treatment. The data material was generated and analyzed concurrently, applying the inductive methodology of Interpretive Description. Results: The patients' experiences with Recovery Record depended on its app features, the impact of these features on patients, and their specific app usage. This patient-app interaction affected and was affected by changeable contexts making patients' experiences dynamic The patient-app interaction affected patients' placement of specific Recovery Record app features along a continuum from supportive to obstructive of individual everyday life activities including the eating disorder treatment. As an example, some patients found it supportive being notified by their clinician when their logs had been monitored as it gave them a sense of relatedness. Contrarily, other patients felt under surveillance, which was obstructive, as it made them feel uneasy or even dismissing the app. Conclusions: Some patients experienced the app and its features as mostly supportive of their everyday life and the eating disorder treatment, while others experienced it primarily as obstructive. When applying apps in eating disorder treatment, we therefore recommend that patients and clinicians collaborate to determine how the app in question best fits the capacities, preferences, and treatment needs of the individual patient. Thus, we encourage patients and clinicians to discuss how specific features of the applied app affect the individual patient to increase the use of supportive features, while limiting the use of obstructive ones.
ObjectiveThe Recovery Record smartphone app is a self-monitoring tool for individuals recovering from eating disorders. Oppositely to traditional pen-and-paper meal diaries, the app allows for in-app patient-clinician linkage enabling clinicians to access patient app data anytime. The aim of our study was to explore the interdisciplinary clinical perspective on Recovery Record and its impact on treatment. MethodThirty-one clinicians from a Danish eating disorder treatment facility participated in field studies and 23 of these in interviews. Data were generated and analyzed concurrently applying the inductive methodology of Interpretive Description. ResultsWe found two overarching themes: Access to app data between treatment sessions, and The patient-clinician relationship. Sub-themes associated with the former were Online obligations in relation to the added workload of continuously monitoring patient app data, and Prepared or prejudiced relating to advantages and disadvantages of using patient app data as preparation for treatment sessions. Sub-themes pertaining to the latter were Expectation discrepancy in relation to patients' and clinicians' divergent expectations for app usage, and Pacified patients regarding the clinicians' experience that the app potentially compromised the patient initiative in treatment sessions. DiscussionRecovery Record induced new and affected pre-existing treatment and work conditions for clinicians. Clinicians were preoccupied with challenges associated with the app, for example, an added work load and potential harm to the patient-clinician collaboration. Thus, prior to adopting the app, we encourage clinicians and managements to discuss the objectives, advantages and disadvantages of adopting the app, and outline specific guidelines for patient and clinician app usage.
BACKGROUND:Patients receiving lumbar spinal fusion surgery often have persisting postoperative pain negatively affecting their daily life. These patients may be helped by interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral therapy which is recognized as an effective intervention for improving beneficial pain coping behavior, thereby facilitating the rehabilitation process of patients with chronic pain.PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of patients recovering from lumbar spinal fusion surgery and to explore potential similarities and disparities in pain coping behavior between receivers and nonreceivers of interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral group therapy.METHODS:We conducted semistructured interviews with 10 patients; 5 receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy in connection with their lumbar spinal fusion surgery and 5 receiving usual care. We conducted a phenomenological analysis to reach our first aim and then conducted a comparative content analysis to reach our second aim.RESULTS:Patients' postoperative experience was characterized by the need to adapt to the limitations imposed by back discomfort (coexisting with the back), need for recognition and support from others regarding their pain, a relatively long rehabilitation period during which they "awaited the result of surgery", and ambivalence toward analgesics. The patients in both groups had similar negative perception of analgesics and tended to abstain from them to avoid addiction. Coping behavior apparently differed among receivers and nonreceivers of interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral group therapy. Receivers prevented or minimized pain by resting before pain onset, whereas nonreceivers awaited pain onset before resting.CONCLUSION:The postoperative experience entailed ambivalence, causing uncertainty, worry and insecurity. This ambivalence was relieved when others recognized the patient's pain and offered support. Cognitive-behavioral therapy as part of rehabilitation may have encouraged beneficial pain coping behavior by altering patients' pain perception and coping behavior, thereby reducing adverse effects of pain.
BACKGROUND: Patients receiving lumbar spinal fusion surgery often have persisting postoperative pain negatively affecting their daily life. These patients may be helped by interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral therapy which is recognized as an effective intervention for improving beneficial pain coping behavior, thereby facilitating the rehabilitation process of patients with chronic pain. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of patients recovering from lumbar spinal fusion surgery and to explore potential similarities and disparities in pain coping behavior between receivers and nonreceivers of interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral group therapy. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with 10 patients; 5 receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy in connection with their lumbar spinal fusion surgery and 5 receiving usual care. We conducted a phenomenological analysis to reach our first aim and then conducted a comparative content analysis to reach our second aim. RESULTS: Patients' postoperative experience was characterized by the need to adapt to the limitations imposed by back discomfort (coexisting with the back), need for recognition and support from others regarding their pain, a relatively long rehabilitation period during which they “awaited the result of surgery”, and ambivalence toward analgesics. The patients in both groups had similar negative perception of analgesics and tended to abstain from them to avoid addiction. Coping behavior apparently differed among receivers and nonreceivers of interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral group therapy. Receivers prevented or minimized pain by resting before pain onset, whereas nonreceivers awaited pain onset before resting. CONCLUSION: The postoperative experience entailed ambivalence, causing uncertainty, worry and insecurity. This ambivalence was relieved when others recognized the patient's pain and offered support. Cognitive-behavioral therapy as part of rehabilitation may have encouraged beneficial pain coping behavior by altering patients' pain perception and coping behavior, thereby reducing adverse effects of pain.