Does the broad categories for the diagnosis of eating disorders (BCD‐ED) scheme reduce the frequency of eating disorder not otherwise specified?

Objective: This study evaluated whether the Broad Categories for the Diagnosis of Eating Disorders (BCD‐ED) proposal (Walsh and Sysko, Int J Eat Disord, 42, 754–764, 2009) reduces the number of individuals who receive a DSM‐IV eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) diagnosis. Method: Individuals calling a tertiary care facility completed a brief telephone interview and were classified into a DSM‐IV eating disorder category (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, EDNOS). Subsequently, the proposed DSM‐5 criteria for eating disorders and the BCD‐ED scheme were also applied. Results: A total of 247 individuals with telephone interview data met criteria for an eating disorder, including 97 (39.3%) with an EDNOS. Of patients with an EDNOS diagnosis, 97.6% were reclassified using the BCD‐ED scheme. Discussion: The BCD‐ED scheme has the potential to virtually eliminate the use of DSM‐IV EDNOS; however, additional data are needed to document its validity and clinical utility. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010)