The role of appetite-controlling hormones in the development of eating disorders in diabetic 2 patients

Abstract

Binge eating disorder (BED) and night eating syndrome (NES) are common eating disorders (EDs) in individuals with diabetes type 2 (DT2). They worsen metabolic control, have a negative impact on physical and mental health and reduce quality of life. The roles of appetite-controlling hormones – leptin and ghrelin – is not clear enough in EDs and need to be investigated in order to establish new approaches and markers of EDs. Aim: To assess the difference in leptin and ghrelin levels in DT2 patients with and without EDs. 57 patients with DT2 were involved in the study. After physical examination and screening for EDs, blood samples for leptin and ghrelin measuring were obtained. Results: 19 participants (33.3%) were screened positively for ED (BE or NES). Leptin levels were higher in participants with ED (p<0.05). Conversely, ghrelin levels were lower in those with BE or NES (p<0.05). Leptin level is increased in DT2 individuals with BED and NES, whereas ghrelin is decreased. Leptin and ghrelin alterations maintain emotional eating, increase the frequency of binge and night eating episodes. In screening for EDs, assessing leptin and ghrelin levels will facilitate obesity reduction and improve metabolic control in diabetic patients.