Eating disorders: What age at onset?. (30th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volpe, Umberto; Tortorella, Alfonso; Manchia, Mirko; Monteleone, Alessio M.; Albert, Umberto; Monteleone, Palmiero
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 238(2016)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 227
• Publication Date: 2016-04-30
• Subjects: Eating disorders -- Age at onset -- Prognosis; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.02.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Age at onset (AAO) of eating disorders has classically been described in adolescence. We analyzed data from 806 subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) and performed a normal distribution admixture analysis to determine their AAO. No significant differences were found concerning the AAO functions of AN and BN subjects. Both groups had a mean AAO of about 18 years. Most of the subjects with AN (75.3%) and BN (83.3%) belonged to the early onset group. The definition of AAO for ED may be crucial for planning treatment modalities, with specific consideration of their clinical history and course. Highlights: Eating disorders (ED) have been reported to differ with respect to age at onset (AAO). Admixture analysis procedures may reveal the true AAO for anorexia (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). In 806 individuals with ED, it was not confirmed that AN and BN subjects differ as for their AAO. Defining the AAO may help in delivering tailored clinical interventions for ED patients.