T L Watson1, A E Andersen. 1. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242-1057, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Amenorrhea and weight loss to below 15% of 'healthy' weight are current diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN). This study compares females who meet current International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision (ICD-10) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria for AN with females who meet the essential psychopathology and significant self-starvation, but lack either amenorrhea or weight loss below 85%. METHOD: This study retrospectively examined the medical charts of 588 consecutive admissions to an in-patient treatment program. All diagnoses conformed to ICD-10 and DSM-IV. RESULTS: Of 588 admissions, 297 females had some form of AN with 77.4% (230 of 297) meeting current criteria, while 22.6% (67 of 297) with core psychopathology and self-starvation were classified as eating disorders not otherwise specified or 'atypical' because of some menstrual function or final weight above 85%. The groups showed few statistically significant differences on demographics, illness history, and treatment response, psychopathology, or bone density. CONCLUSION: Amenorrhea may not be a useful diagnostic criterion. Also, requiring below 85% of healthy weight may need generalization.
BACKGROUND:Amenorrhea and weight loss to below 15% of 'healthy' weight are current diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN). This study compares females who meet current International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision (ICD-10) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria for AN with females who meet the essential psychopathology and significant self-starvation, but lack either amenorrhea or weight loss below 85%. METHOD: This study retrospectively examined the medical charts of 588 consecutive admissions to an in-patient treatment program. All diagnoses conformed to ICD-10 and DSM-IV. RESULTS: Of 588 admissions, 297 females had some form of AN with 77.4% (230 of 297) meeting current criteria, while 22.6% (67 of 297) with core psychopathology and self-starvation were classified as eating disorders not otherwise specified or 'atypical' because of some menstrual function or final weight above 85%. The groups showed few statistically significant differences on demographics, illness history, and treatment response, psychopathology, or bone density. CONCLUSION:Amenorrhea may not be a useful diagnostic criterion. Also, requiring below 85% of healthy weight may need generalization.
Authors: Jocilyn E Dellava; Laura M Thornton; Paul Lichtenstein; Nancy L Pedersen; Cynthia M Bulik Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2010-10-24 Impact factor: 4.791
Authors: Christopher G Fairburn; Zafra Cooper; Kristin Bohn; Marianne E O'Connor; Helen A Doll; Robert L Palmer Journal: Behav Res Ther Date: 2007-02-04