Gender differences in eating disorder psychopathology across DSM-5 severity categories of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether patterns of eating-disorder (ED) psychopathology differed by gender across DSM-5 severity specifiers in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). METHOD: We tested whether ED psychopathology differed across DSM-5 severity specifiers among 532 adults (76% female) in a residential treatment center with AN or BN. We hypothesized that severity of ED psychopathology would increase in tandem with increasing severity classifications for both males and females with AN and BN. RESULTS: Among females with BN, DSM-5 severity categories were significantly associated with increasing ED psychopathology, including Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire dietary restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern; and Eating Disorder Inventory drive for thinness and bulimia. ED psychopathology did not differ across DSM-5 severity levels for males with BN. For both males and females with AN, there were no differences in ED psychopathology across severity levels. DISCUSSION: Results demonstrate that DSM-5 severity specifiers may function differently for males versus females with BN. Taken together, data suggest DSM-5 severity specifiers may not adequately capture severity, as intended, for males with BN and all with AN. Future research should evaluate additional clinical validators of DSM-5 severity categories (e.g., chronicity, treatment non-response), and consider alternate classification schemes.

Sex differences in the effects of residential treatment on the quality of life of eating disorder patients.

AIMS: This study compared the effects of residential treatment on improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between males and females diagnosed with eating disorders (EDs) from admission to discharge and at follow-up. This study also analyzed the association between changes in HRQOL and changes in the severity of ED pathology, depression, and trait anxiety. METHODS: 145 consecutive patients (34 males and 111 females) admitted to a residential ED unit completed a panel of surveys at admission and discharge. The survey panel included the Eating Disorders Quality of Life Survey (EDQLS), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. An online follow-up survey was also conducted for the EDQLS. Mixed-factorial ANOVA was used to examine sex differences and changes in HRQOL between admission, discharge and post-treatment follow-up. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between sex, change in HRQOL, and changes in all other variables studied. RESULTS: By the end of residential treatment, both males and females had made similar statistically significant improvements in HRQOL from admission to discharge, which persisted after treatment. Greater decreases in ED pathology and trait anxiety significantly predicted greater increases in HRQOL during residential treatment while sex and changes in depression did not. CONCLUSION: The data show that residential treatment is an effective approach to improving HRQOL in both males and females with EDs. Greater improvements in trait anxiety and ED pathology contributed to greater improvement in HRQOL in these patients.

Motivation for change as a predictor of eating disorder treatment outcomes using a brief self-report YBC-EDS in a residential eating disorder population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of a new brief self-report form of the Yale-Brown-Cornell Eating Disorder Scale (YBC-EDS-BSR) in a transdiagnostic eating disorder population, and to determine the predictive ability of motivation for change and ego syntonic subscales on treatment outcome. Self-report measures of the YBC-EDS-BSR, eating pathology, depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms were collected from 164 individuals entering residential treatment. Of these, 107 individuals completed identical measures at discharge. The admission items on the YBC-EDS-BSR were examined for factor structure, and subscales were examined for internal, convergent and discriminant validity. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate predictive value of the motivation and ego syntonic subscales on two measures of treatment outcome. Results indicate that the YBC-EDS-BSR demonstrated a robust factor structure and good psychometric properties in this population. The predicted ego-syntonic subscale did not emerge as an independent factor. The motivation for change subscale significantly predicted treatment outcome on the EDE-Q and the EDI-3 Global Maladjustment Scale. The ego-syntonic items and other psychopathology measures had no predictive value on treatment outcome. Results suggest that motivation for change is a significant predictor of treatment outcome over and above baseline psychopathology.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder complicated by comorbid eating disorders.

PURPOSE: Eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) commonly co-occur, but there is little data for how to treat these complex cases. To address this gap, we examined the naturalistic outcome of 56 patients with both disorders, who received a multimodal treatment program designed to address both problems simultaneously. METHODS: A residential treatment program developed a cognitive-behavioral approach for patients with both OCD and an eating disorder by integrating exposure and response prevention (ERP) treatment for OCD with ERP strategies targeting eating pathology. Patients also received a supervised eating plan, medication management, and social support. At admission and discharge, patients completed validated measures of OCD severity (the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale--Self Report [Y-BOCS-SR]), eating disorder severity (the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire), and depressive severity (the Beck Depression Inventory II [BDI-II]). Body mass index (BMI) was also measured. Paired-sample t-tests examined change on these measures. MAIN RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2011, 56 individuals completed all study measures at admission and discharge. Mean length of stay was 57 days (SD = 27). Most (89%) were on psychiatric medications. Significant decreases were observed in OCD severity, eating disorder severity, and depression. Those with bulimia nervosa showed more improvement than those with anorexia nervosa. BMI significantly increased, primarily among those underweight at admission. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous treatment of OCD and eating disorders using a multimodal approach that emphasizes ERP techniques for both OCD and eating disorders can be an effective treatment strategy for these complex cases.

Treatment issues and outcomes for males with eating disorders.

The aim of this article is to discuss critical issues in treating males with eating disorders, and to present assessment and treatment outcome data for 111 males who received residential treatment for moderate to severe eating disorders. Males with eating disorders are often not included in eating disorder research as the population of individuals with eating disorders has historically been predominantly female. Whether this is due to actual lower prevalence of this disorder among males or to fewer males seeking treatment is not clear. In any case, there is limited empirical research on the particular treatment issues of males, and in treatment environments males are frequently in the minority. We have found that an all-male treatment environment is helpful in allowing males to benefit from treatment with less stigma. Data are presented which characterize psychiatric co-morbidity, excessive exercise, body image, sexuality, and spirituality in males. Treatment outcomes for males in this environment are positive.

Outcome variables for anorexic males and females one year after discharge from residential treatment.

The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a residential program for eating disorders that uses a multidimensional approach to treatment. Patients were males and females admitted with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa using DSM-IV criteria. A phone survey was developed by our staff and applied to patients 15-months post discharge. Responses were analyzed using paired t-test and multiple regression analysis. From discharge to follow-up, the females experienced an average weight gain of almost 7 lbs (P = 0.03) and the males experienced an average weight gain of 19 lbs (P = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis showed that a higher weight at contact date was associated with a higher weight at discharge, less fasting and the male gender. This kind of study helps us evaluate treatment outcome and identify key variables that predict changes in anorexics' body weight over time.