Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire as a measure of change in patients with bulimia nervosa

Int J Eat Disord. 2005 Mar;37(2):100-6. doi: 10.1002/eat.20078.

Abstract

Objective: The current study evaluated the agreement between the Eating Disorder Examination and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire in assessing eating disorder pathology in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa.

Method: Patients with broadly defined bulimia nervosa were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment study of fluoxetine, with and without guided self-help. The current study presents information from 50 patients with data from both the EDE and EDE-Q at study entry and treatment termination.

Results: The EDE and EDE-Q produced more similar scores for compensatory behaviors (vomiting/laxative use) than complex eating-disordered features (binge eating/importance of shape and weight) at the pretreatment and posttreatment assessments, and for change during the study.

Discussion: The EDE and EDE-Q are highly correlated for many of the behavioral and attitudinal features of bulimia nervosa. There is substantial variability in agreement for individual patients, but on average, the EDE and EDE-Q will yield similar assessments of eating disorder symptoms and change in symptoms over time.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bulimia / diagnosis*
  • Bulimia / drug therapy
  • Bulimia / epidemiology*
  • Bulimia / therapy*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Self-Help Groups
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine