Brief report: disordered eating and psychosocial factors in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether insulin pump therapy [continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII)] is associated with a lower frequency of disordered eating, better glycemic control, and improved quality of life and self-efficacy compared to multiple daily injections (MDI) in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS This cross-sectional study included 22 adolescent females using CSII and 47 adolescent females using MDI who completed standardized questionnaires measuring disordered eating, quality of life, and self-efficacy. Most recent glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1(c)) and measures of personal characteristics were drawn from medical records. RESULTS The CSII group exhibited better glycemic control and reported higher quality of life and more self-efficacy. However, the groups did not differ significantly on disordered eating behaviors and attitudes. CONCLUSION Insulin pump therapy may provide a means for improving glycemic control, quality of life, and self-efficacy in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes.