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Correspondence between the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised and eating disorder diagnosis: Examining the current cut-off for clinically significant eating disorder symptoms.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moskovich, AA; Murphy, C; Schram, S; Scheiber, F; Merwin, RM
Published in: Diabet Med
May 2025

AIMS: Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with severe health complications and early death in individuals with type 1 diabetes, making the accurate detection of EDs crucial so that treatment can be initiated. The Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) is commonly used to identify individuals with type 1 diabetes with a probable ED, with scores ≥20 recommended as a clinical cut-off. However, the correspondence between a score ≥20 and an ED diagnosis has yet to be examined. This study examines the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the DEPS-R ≥20 for detecting EDs in a sample of adults with type 1 diabetes participating in a study of eating and weight concerns. METHODS: Adults with type 1 diabetes (N = 83) completed the DEPS-R and a structured diagnostic ED interview (Eating Disorder Examination [EDE]). Each participant's EDE and DEPS-R scores were dichotomized (EDE: 1 = ED diagnosis, 0 = otherwise; DEPS-R: 1 = DEPS-R ≥20, 0 = otherwise) and DEPS-R ≥20 accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for identifying EDs were calculated. A logistic regression was used to determine whether there was a significant association between the dichotomized EDE and DEPS-R scores. RESULTS: A DEPS-R ≥20 accurately detected the presence or absence of an ED in 81.8% of the cases, with a sensitivity of 76.7% and a specificity of 88.2%. The logistic regression exhibited a significant association between the EDE and DEPS-R binary variables (coefficient estimate = 3.2, 95% CI [2.0, 4.6]). CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of individuals with an ED were identified using DEPS-R ≥20, a subset failed to be detected. Clinicians should keep this in mind when using the DEPS-R and may consider additional screening methods.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Diabet Med

DOI

EISSN

1464-5491

Publication Date

May 2025

Volume

42

Issue

5

Start / End Page

e70022

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Moskovich, A. A., Murphy, C., Schram, S., Scheiber, F., & Merwin, R. M. (2025). Correspondence between the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised and eating disorder diagnosis: Examining the current cut-off for clinically significant eating disorder symptoms. Diabet Med, 42(5), e70022. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.70022
Moskovich, Ashley A., Caitrin Murphy, Samantha Schram, Francesca Scheiber, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “Correspondence between the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised and eating disorder diagnosis: Examining the current cut-off for clinically significant eating disorder symptoms.Diabet Med 42, no. 5 (May 2025): e70022. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.70022.
Journal cover image

Published In

Diabet Med

DOI

EISSN

1464-5491

Publication Date

May 2025

Volume

42

Issue

5

Start / End Page

e70022

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1