Transdiagnostic vs. disorder-focused perspective in children and adolescents with eating disorders: Findings from a large multisite exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: The transdiagnostic model of eating disorders (ED) proposes common cognitive mechanisms in patients with ED psychopathology. Little is known about their role in the maintenance of ED in children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine whether the relationships between key factors (low self-esteem, weight and shape control, clinical perfectionism, interpersonal problems, distress and mood instability) and core maintaining mechanisms (binge-eating and restraint) would support a transdiagnostic theory in young patients. METHODS: A total of 419 patients (mean age 14.7 ±â€¯2.14 years; age range: 7-18 years; males 13.8%) diagnosed with an ED were assessed in six Italian clinical centers in 2013. Multiple comparisons between ED diagnosis, correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. RESULTS: Of the entire collective, 51.5% of patients were diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 12.3% were diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and 36.2% with Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). In PCA, the core ED mechanisms, dietary restraint and binge eating, acted as poles of attraction of the other variables. The AN group was particularly linked to restraint and the BN group was particularly related to "Bulimia". Considering the diagnostic subtypes, there were no significant differences between the anorexic binge-purging group, bulimic purging group and bulimic non-purging group, which constituted a unique cluster related to affective, interpersonal problems and to perfectionism, indicating a very homogeneous subgroup. Restricting anorexic group (AN-R), related to shape concern and anxious-depressed mood, was not linked to the other subtypes. EDNOS appeared to be opposed to the AN-R group; the binge eating disorder group appeared to be independent from others. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the presence of both specific and transdiagnostic mechanisms in ED subtypes, whose knowledge is of relevance for clinical practice.

[Anorexia nervosa and hyperactivity in adolescence: psychiatric and internal medicine features]. / Anoressia nervosa e iperattività in adolescenza: correlati psichiatrici e internistici.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to verify the influence of hyperactivity on internistic and psychiatric parameters in early onset anorexia nervosa restricting type (ANR). METHODS: Seventy-three adolescent females (mean age 13.5 years, SD: 2.27) with a diagnosis of ANR (DSM-IV-TR) were consecutively enrolled in the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Unit of the IRCCS-Stella Maris and assessed by an extensive clinical protocol. All patients completed: psychiatric evaluation for description of the DCA and comorbidities; pediatric assessment including complete auxological data, blood pressure, heart rate and other electro/echo cardiographic and biohumoral parameters. The hyperactivity was estimated by the application of the "Structured Interview for Anorexic and Bulimic Disorder-Expert Form" (Item 40) in the context of clinical observation. Subjects were identified according to their level of hyperactive (ANR+H) and non-hyperactive (ANR-H) activity. RESULTS: In the ANR+H group heart rate, leptin, sodium, potassium and gamma plasma proteins significantly differ compared to the group ANR-H. Patients with hyperactivity also have a complete form of ANR in 94% of cases compared with 66.7% of non-hyperactive; significant differences were found also in thought and attention CBCL and YSR subscales, combined with major internalizing problems. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary data which can orient research towards the development of specific treatments for the hyperactivity, in order to improve the prognosis and thus avoid the chronicity of the disorder and the development of complications in adult life.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in normal subjects: seasonal variations and relationships with parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin.

The measurement of human 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) serum levels has a potential role in evaluating calcium and bone metabolism disorders. To determine normal ranges were studied, cross-sectionally, a healthy population of men and women, aged 18-69 years, over a 12-month period. Changes in 25-OH-D levels for the examined population fitted a mathematical model that demonstrated a highly significant periodic relationship to time. Gender had a significant (p < 0.03) effect on mean 25-OH-D concentration, but age was not significantly correlated with 25-OH-D in either sex. A 95% tolerance band was computed in order to have a time-qualified "range of normality" with circannual periodicity. Interesting periodic variations were seen for the parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as for osteocalcin (OST). A moderate negative correlation was found between 25-OH-D and PTH in both sexes, with more significant evidence in males. No relationship was observed between 25-OH-D and OST.