[Purging disorder--a distinct diagnosis? Review about the current state of research].

The article at hand reviews the current state of research of Purging Disorder (PurD). First, we report study results of comparisons between patients with PurD and controls and patients suffering from other established eating disorders. Then we present prevalence data and results of empirical classification studies and follow-up studies. Based on this, we discuss whether PurD meets the requirements of a distinct diagnosis. Despite some opposing results and outstanding research the article concludes that PurD as a diagnostic category offers the possibility to reduce the large and heterogeneous group of patients with the diagnosis "eating disorder not otherwise specified". © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.