Differences of symptoms and standardized weight index between patients with early‐onset and late‐onset anorexia nervosa

Abstract

We found clear differences in clinical features between early- and late-onset AN groups.

Clinical, Psychological and Personality Features Related to Age of Onset of Anorexia Nervosa

“…In contrast to the results of Matsumoto et al [18] , those with early-, intermediate-and late-onset AN do not show differences in eating symptomatology (BMI, binges/week, vomiting/week). It should be stated that the lack of differences in eating symptomatology may be due to the outpatient setting, that is, the patients with AN of both diagnostic subtypes included in this sample seem to have applied to the Eating Disorders Center as a consequence of similar symptoms and after a similar illness duration.…”

“…In particular, to identify subjects with early-onset AN and according to these authors [17][18] , the following symptoms were investigated ( table 1 ): avoiding selected foods, food avoidance, weight loss or lack of weight increase during puberty (10-14 years) but no diagnosis of physical or mental disorder, morbid preoccupation with weight and shape, disorders in body image, functional dysphagia, self-induced vomiting, excessive physical exercise or purging behaviors.…”

“…Recently Matsumoto et al [18] found a greater clinical severity in late-than in early-onset AN. These authors only consider symptomatologic features, not the personality traits.…”

“…some authors refer to eating-related symptoms that frequently and markedly occur in young girls [16,18] . Others refer to criteria that have been suitably developed for the diagnosis in those younger than 16 years (Great Ormond Street Criteria; [17] ) and report their greater reliability compared to the DSM-IV criteria in subjects aged 7-16 years [17] .…”

Eating Disorders in Late-life

“…A recent study on late-life eating disorders showed that the individuals affected by these illnesses reported significantly fewer weekly vomiting episodes and fewer self-harming behaviours, but a more frequent history of past or current obesity than early onset individuals [70]. However, the rates of purging (laxative abuse) was found to be higher among patients with late-life eating disorder, probably because mature people are more likely to know the existence of laxative drugs and the access to these substances is easier for them [71]. It has been demonstrated that a high percentage of individuals presenting late-life eating disorders reported comorbid depression and anxiety [72].…”