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Empirically based subgrouping of eating disorders in adolescents: A longitudinal perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Thecla Van Der Ham ,
Jacqueline J. Meulman ,
Din C. Van Strien  and
Herman Van Engeland
Thecla Van Der Ham*
Affiliation:
Utrecht University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Jacqueline J. Meulman
Affiliation:
Department of Data Theory, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Din C. Van Strien
Affiliation:
Utrecht University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Herman Van Engeland
Affiliation:
Utrecht University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
*
Professor H. van Engeland. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Utrecht University Hospital, PO Box 85500, 3508 AG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Background

Successive DSM versions struggle with the heterogeneity of the eating disorders. Criteria were mainly based on clinical impressions and on descriptive and inferential studies.

Method

In a study of 55 eating-disordered adolescents, we investigated whether patients could be grouped on an empirical basis, using principal components analysis (PCA) with optimal scoring (scaling), i.e. PCA with no a priori assumptions. Clustering was based on Morgan-Russell subscales, each measured four times over the course of illness.

Results

Contrary to DSM – IV criteria, patients did not cluster primarily on the basis of anorectic symptoms; the occurrence of bulimic symptoms was more dominant. Core symptomatology (preoccupation with food, disturbed body perception and inadequate sexual behaviour) did not differ between patients, either at referral or over time.

Conclusions

These results support the spectrum hypothesis of the eating disorders, which considers them as one syndrome with different manifestations.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 4 , April 1997 , pp. 363 - 368
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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