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Investigating the DSM‐5 severity specifiers based on thinness for adults with anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Reas Deborah Lynn,
Rø Øyvind
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22729
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , psychosocial , body mass index , psychology , eating disorders , binge eating , bulimia nervosa , clinical psychology , dsm 5 , psychiatry , young adult , medicine , developmental psychology
Objective The DSM‐5 severity classification scheme for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) is based upon current body mass index (BMI; kg/m 2 ). This study examined the utility of the DSM‐5 severity specifiers for adults with AN in relation to core cognitive and behavioral features of eating pathology and associated psychosocial impairment. Methods A clinical sample of 146 adult AN patients (140 women, 6 men) were categorized using DSM‐5 current BMI severity specifiers and assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) and Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA). Results A total of 34 (23.3%) patients were categorized as mild (>=17.0 BMI), 35 (24.0%) as moderate (16‐16.99 BMI), 32 (21.9%) as severe (15‐15.99 BMI), and 45 (30.8%) as extreme (<15 BMI). No significant group differences were found for age, CIA and EDE‐Q global or subscale scores, frequency of laxative use, self‐induced vomiting, binge eating, or excessive exercise. Discussion This study found little empirical evidence to support the utility of DSM‐5 severity rating scheme to differentiate adults with AN in terms of core eating disorder pathology or associated psychosocial impairment.