title: Comorbid diabetes and eating disorders in adult patients: assessment and considerations for treatment.
abstract: The lack of research concerning treatment for individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and comorbid eating disorders (ED) contributes to the gulf between the psychosocial needs of individuals with the two conditions and the treatment they receive. Empirical evidence has established that the prognosis of patients with this comorbid diagnosis (ED-DM) is poor in the absence of a specialized DM treatment specifically adapted to ED. In individuals with DM, comorbid ED is associated with numerous complications. Despite these interactions, current knowledge about the comorbid diagnosis is limited, and eating disorders in patients with diabetes often remain undiagnosed. This article presents standard procedures for assessment and optimal therapeutic interventions for patients with ED and DM.
  
  
  
  In patients with diabetes, problematic eating behaviors and symptoms should be assessed routinely. When an eating disorder is detected, diabetes management needs to be adapted, binge eating or medication misuse needs to be addressed, and eating disorder specialists should be included in the multidisciplinary team.
authors.affiliation: University of Quebec in Montreal, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Quebec (Gagnon, doctoral student in psychology)
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.affiliation: University of Quebec in Outaouais, Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, St-Jerome, Quebec (Dr Aimé)
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aimé
authors.affiliation: University of Quebec in Montreal and Douglas Mental Health Institute and McGill University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Quebec (Dr Bélanger)
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.affiliation: Joslin Diabetes Center, Section of Genetics and Epidemiology, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Markowitz)
authors.forename: Jessica Tuttman
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Markowitz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001828:Body Image; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055815:Young Adult