Assessment of eating disorders with the diabetes eating problems survey - revised (DEPS-R) in a representative sample of insulin-treated diabetic patients: a validation study in Italy

PINNA, FEDERICA;DIANA, ENRICA;SANNA, LUCIA;DEIANA, VALERIA;MANCHIA, MIRKO;NICOTRA, ERALDO FRANCESCO;Fiorillo, A;Albert, U;Nivoli, A;Volpe, U;Atti, A. R;Ferrari, S;MEDDA, FEDERICA;ATZENI, MARIA GLORIA;MANCA, DANIELA;Mascia, E;Farci, F;Ghiani, M;Cau, R;Tuveri, M;Cossu, E;Loy, E;MEREU, ALESSANDRA;MARIOTTI, STEFANO;CARPINIELLO, BERNARDO

2017-01-01

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Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate in a sample of insulin-treated diabetic patients, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the DEPS-R scale, a diabetes-specific self-report questionnaire used to analyze disordered eating behaviors. Methods: The study was performed on 211 consecutive insulin-treated diabetic patients attending two specialist centers. Lifetime prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) according to DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria were assessed by means of the Module H of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorder and the Module H modified, according to DSM-5 criteria. The following questionnaires were administered: DEPS-R and the Eating Disorder Inventory - 3 (EDI-3). Test/retest reproducibility was assessed on a subgroup of 70 patients. The factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of DEPS-R were assessed. Results: Overall, 21.8% of the sample met criteria for at least one DSM-5 diagnosis of ED. A "clinical risk" of ED was observed in 13.3% of the sample. Females displayed higher scores at DEPS-R, a higher percentage of at least one diagnosis of ED and a higher clinical risk for ED. A high level of reproducibility and homogeneity of the scale were revealed. A significant correlation was detected between DEPS-R and the 3 ED risk scales of EDI-3. Conclusions: The data confirmed the overall reliability and validity of the scale. In view of the significance and implications of EDs in diabetic patients, it should be conducted a more extensive investigation of the phenomenon by means of evaluation instruments of demonstrated validity and reliability.