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Autistic Traits in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

C. Gesi ,
C. Carmassi ,
M. Luciano ,
L. Bossini ,
V. Ricca ,
A. Fagiolini ,
M. Maj  and
L. Dell’Osso
C. Gesi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
C. Carmassi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
M. Luciano
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
L. Bossini
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
V. Ricca
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
A. Fagiolini
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
M. Maj
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
L. Dell’Osso
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Abstract

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Introduction

Previous data showed higher autistic traits in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to healthy controls (CTL). It is not known, however, whether this characteristic is shared by other feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) or it is uniquely associated to AN.

Objectives

To compare autistic traits among individuals with AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and CTL and to investigate which specific dimensions differentiate one group from another.

Methods

A total of 241 FED patients (53 AN, 41 BN, 42 BED) and 105 CTL were administered the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), the adult autism subthreshold spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Ritvo autism and Asperger diagnostic scale 14-item (RAADS-14 Screen).

Results

FED subjects reported higher AQ, AdAS spectrum and RAADS-14 total and subscales scores compared to CTL (all P < .001). No differences were found amongst AN, BN and BED subjects in questionnaires’ total scores. BN group scored higher than AN in the hyper-/hyporeactivity to sensory input domain of the AdAS spectrum (P < .001); AN group scored higher than BED in the attention switching domain of the AQ (P < .001), and BED group scored lower than both AN and BN in the mentalizing deficit domain of the RAADS-14 (all P < .001).

Conclusions

We reported for the first time that not only AN but also BN and BED patients show greater autistic traits compared to CTL. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this preliminary report and to elucidate whether autistic traits either precede, co-occur or follow FEDs.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
Oral communications: Genetics & molecular neurobiology; neuroimaging; psychosurgery & stimulation methods (ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS) and others
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 41 , Issue S1: Abstract of the 25th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2017 , pp. S100
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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