Rating of Eating Disorder Severity Interview for Children: psychometric properties and comparison with EDI-2 symptom index.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometrics of the Rating of Eating Disorder Severity Interview for Children (REDS-C) and compare it with the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 symptom index. METHODS: The psychometrics of the REDS-C were analyzed utilizing data from 336 patients, of ages 8 to 18 years. Receiver operator curve analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of the REDS-C and the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 symptom index to discriminate severity of eating disorder symptoms in relationship to an objective standard, defined as hospitalisation for medical stabilisation beyond 1 week. RESULTS: Three factors were identified using 14 of the 16 original REDS-C items. Resulting subscales demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. The receiver operator curve results demonstrated the usefulness of the 14-item version of the REDS-C in predicting hospitalisation greater than 7 days as an indicator of symptom severity. DISCUSSION: The 14-item REDS-C is a reliable tool to assist clinicians in evaluating the severity of eating disorder symptoms in children and adolescents.

Screening for childhood eating disorders in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: Early identification is essential to reduce disabling complications of eating disorders that occur during stages of bone growth and organ development. This study sought to examine health-screening practices of pediatricians and adolescent medicine physicians in a metropolitan area of the Pacific Northwest. METHOD: 70 pediatric and adolescent medicine practices were contacted, 34 (49%) participated, and 20 (29%) returned health forms. Five pediatricians participated in a follow-up focus group. Data collection and analysis occurred between June 2005 and April 2006. RESULTS: 71% (N = 24) of participating practices relied on clinical interviews to detect eating disorders. Less than half of analyzed health-screening forms included questions specific to eating disorders. A pediatrician focus group revealed barriers to identification of eating disorders. CONCLUSION: Fast-paced appointments and patients who withhold information compromise identification of eating disorders in pediatric and adolescent medicine practices. Barriers to detection highlight the need for enhanced professional and parent education, practical changes in screening tools and processes, and more frequent appointments when risk factors are present.