Health professionals need better support to detect T1DE

Health professionals need better support to detect T1DE

Health professionals need better support in identifying and treating symptoms of disordered eating in people with type 1 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Surrey.

Messy eating in people living with type 1 diabetes is often referred to as T1DE. Diabulimia is an example of T1DE, a dangerous eating disorder that involves deliberate misuse of insulin for weight loss, leading to serious health problems and even death. New Surrey research led by Dr. Katie Fitzgerald and Dr. Rose-Marie Satherley, underscores the challenges healthcare professionals face in detecting and treating T1DE.

The study, published in Diabetic Medicine, found that real-world healthcare professionals have difficulty identifying and addressing T1DE. This is due to a lack of support, limited self-confidence, and fears of their patients' reactions and damage to their patient-health care provider relationships. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and potentially life-threatening complications for patients.

The study found that some health professionals have often viewed T1DE as an "inevitable" consequence of living with type 1 diabetes, leading to a feeling of helplessness. This perspective, coupled with a lack of training and clear guidelines, can contribute to missed opportunities for early detection and support.

Our study highlights the need for better training and clear clinical guidelines to help health professionals combat disordered eating in adults with type 1 diabetes. The phrase “a bit of a black hole” used by one participant aptly captures the uncertainty and confusion surrounding T1DE.

There is a real fear and lack of trust that these professionals experience, so we must address the intersection of physical and mental health in diabetes care. We must equip our teams with psychological expertise and effective communication strategies, as well as the tools and support they need to have these critical conversations to improve the health of their patients. “

Dr. Rose-Marie Satherley, study co-author and lecturer in clinical psychology, University of Surrey

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