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Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Psychopathological similarities and differences in comparison to anorexia nervosa and the general population
Author(s) -
Cañas Laura,
Palma Carol,
Molano Ana M.,
Domene Lola,
CarullaRoig Marta,
CeciliaCosta Raquel,
Dolz Montserrat,
SerranoTroncoso Eduardo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2815
Subject(s) - psychopathology , anorexia nervosa , eating disorders , anxiety , depression (economics) , population , psychiatry , psychology , comorbidity , observational study , clinical psychology , medicine , environmental health , economics , macroeconomics
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) categorises patients with selective and/or restrictive eating patterns in the absence of distorted cognition concerning weight, food, and body image. Objective To examine the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with ARFID in comparison to those with anorexia nervosa (AN) and to a non‐clinical group (NCG). Method A descriptive, observational, comparative study made up of three groups (ARFID, AN and NCG). Ninety‐nine children and adolescents were analyzed by means of a semi‐structured diagnostic interview and questionnaires on depression, anxiety, clinical fears and general psychopathology. Results The ARFID group was significantly younger (10.8 vs. 14.1 years of age), with a greater proportion of males (60.6% vs. 6.1%), an earlier onset of illness (6.2 vs. 13.4 years of age), and a longer period of evolution of the illness (61.2 vs. 8.4 months) compared to the AN group. Clinically, patients with ARFID showed greater medical (42.4% vs. 12.1%) and psychiatric (81.8% vs. 33.3%) comorbidity—assessed with a semi‐structured diagnostic interview—greater clinical fear ( p < 0.005), more attention problems ( p < 0.005) and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression ( p < 0.005)—measured with self‐report questionnaires. Conclusions ARFID is a serious disorder with a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the pediatric population. Likewise, some of these physical and mental conditions may be a risk factor in developing ARFID. Attention problems and clinical fears in ARFID, and the greater presence of internalised symptoms in AN, were the main differences found in the psychopathological profiles.