Different outcomes, psychopathological features, and comorbidities in patients with eating disorders reporting childhood abuse: A 3 ‐year follow‐up study

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of childhood adversities in long‐term outcomes in eating disorders (EDs). One hundred thirty‐three eating disorder patients were studied by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV and psychometric tests, at baseline, at the end of individual cognitive behavioural therapy, and at 3‐year follow‐up. As compared with the other patients, those reporting childhood abuse (overall: 24.8%; physical abuse: 20.3%; sexual abuse: 13.6%) showed higher impulsivity, psychiatric comorbidity, lower full recovery at follow‐up (12.1% vs. 31%), and higher diagnostic crossover (39.4% vs. 13.0%). The different rates of recovery were mostly due to a higher persistence of depression in abused patients (77.8% vs. 26.7%). Patients with both abuse and neglect had a higher probability of dropout. Eating disorder patients with childhood abuse represent a group of persons with more complex psychopathological features and a worse long‐term outcome, thus requiring specific treatment strategies.
Source: European Eating Disorders Review - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research