M. Mauri, C. Borri, S. Banti, S. Baldassari, P. Rucci, G.B. Cassano - Vol. 8, June 2002, Issue 2
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Indice
Lo spettro anoressico-bulimico nei
disturbi della condotta alimentare, dell’umore e nei controlli sani
The anorexic-bulimic spectrum in patients
with eating disorders, mood disorders and controls
Objectives
Aims of this study are to analyze the anorexic-bulimic spectrum in patients with eating disorders, mood disorders and unselected university students, and to investigate the relationship between spectrum psychopathology and functional impairment.
Methods
Consecutive women with eating or mood disorders attending 27 Italian psychiatric university and general hospital centers have been enrolled. Out of these, 124 had unipolar depression, 28 bipolar disorder, 82 anorexia restricter, 19 anorexia binging/purging, 109 bulimia; a control group including 229 female university students was also enrolled. A battery of instruments was administered to assess the severity of eating disorder (EAT, EDI, BITE), the level of functioning (WSAS), and the anorexic-bulimic and mood spectra (SCI-ABS, MOODS-SR). The diagnostic assessment was made with the MINI.
Results
Mean scores of the SCI-ABS domains were consistently higher in patients with eating disorders than in the other two groups, in the expected direction. The functional level in patients with eating disorders was similar to that of patients with mood disorders (22.6 ± 10.4 vs. 22.8 ± 9.3), and significantly higher than in controls (7.8 ± 8.7, ANOVA F = 166.0, p < 0.001). In the overall sample, the total SCI-ABS score had a linear association with functioning, accounting for 21% of its variance.
Conclusions
While the anorexic-bulimic spectrum proved to be specific of eating disorders, it is present to a certain extent in patients with mood disorders and controls and is associated with increased functional impairment.