The severity of ADHD and eating disorder symptoms: a correlational study

BMC Psychiatry

Research Article

Céline Gächter¹  Chantal Martin-Soelch²  Gabriella Milos²  Anja Spindler²  Urs Hepp³  Niklaus Stulz³ 

[1] Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Tellstrasse 15, CH-5001, Aarau, Switzerland;Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland;Psychiatric Services Aargau AG, Haselstrasse 1, CH-5401, Baden, Switzerland;

关键词: Eating Disorder;    Anorexia Nervosa;    Eating Disorder;    ADHD Symptom;    Bulimia Nervosa;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-244X-13-44

 received in 2012-08-24, accepted in 2013-01-29,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAttention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and eating disorders (ED) share several clinical features. Research on the association between ADHD and ED is still quite sparse and findings are ambiguous.MethodsCorrelations between the severity of ADHD key features (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Self-Rating questionnaire) and the severity of specific ED symptoms (Structured Interview for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa) were examined in 32 female patients diagnosed with ED.ResultsMost correlations between the severity of ADHD features and the severity of ED symptoms were low (r<0.30) and did not reach statistical significance. The only exception was a statistically significant, but counterintuitive association between impulsivity and the avoidance of fattening food.ConclusionsThe findings in this small sample suggest a weak link between the severity of ADHD key features and the severity of single ED symptoms in female patients with ED. The role of ADHD features for the development, maintenance, and treatment of EDs seems to be intricate and requires further study.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Stulz et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013