Table 1.
Descriptive analyses of the total sample and of groups defined by the presence/absence of objective binge-eating episodes or purging behaviors.
| Variables | Total Sample N = 51 |
Objective Binge-Eating Episodes | Purging Behaviors | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YES (n = 19) | NO (n = 32) | YES (n = 26) | NO (n = 25) | |||
| Age | 24.8 (±8.19) | 24.9 (±7.9) | 24.7 (±8.5) | 27.1 (±8.6) | 22.4 (±7.1) | |
| Gender | Male | 3 (5.9%) | 0 | 3 (9.4%) | 1 (3.8%) | 2 (8.0%) |
| Female | 48 (94.1%) | 19 (100%) | 29 (90.6%) | 25 (96.2%) | 23 (92.0%) | |
| Education (years) | 12.9 (±3.25) | 13.0 (±3.6) | 12.8 (±3.1) | 13.4 (±2.9) | 12.3 (±3.5) | |
| Work | Unemployed | 3 (5.9%) | 2 (10.5%) | 1 (3.1%) | 0 | 3 (12.0%) |
| Student | 30 (58.8%) | 10 (52.6%) | 20 (62.5%) | 13 (50.0%) | 17 (68.0%) | |
| Employed | 18 (35.3%) | 7 (36.9%) | 11 (34.4%) | 13 (50.0%) | 5 (20.0%) | |
| Marital Status Missing n = 4 |
Single/separated | 24 (51.1%) | 9 (52.9%) | 15 (50.0%) | 12 (48.0%) | 12 (54.5%) |
| Married | 23 (48.9%) | 8 (47.1%) | 15 (50.0%) | 13 (52.0%) | 10 (45.5%) | |
| Smoke Missing n = 3 |
No | 42 (87.5%) | 16 (88.9%) | 26 (86.7%) | 22 (84.6%) | 20 (91.9%) |
| Yes | 6 (12.5%) | 2 (11.1%) | 4 (24.3%) | 4 (15.4%) | 2 (9.1%) | |
| Number of cigarettes/day Missing n = 3 |
1.6 (±4.85) | 1.7 (±5.1) | 1.6 (±4.8) | 2.3 (±5.9) | 0.8 (±3.2) | |
| Dietary habits Missing n = 4 |
Omnivorous | 44 (93.7%) | 14 (82.3%) | 30 (100%) | 22 (88.0%) | 22 (100%) |
| Vegetarian | 2 (4.3%) | 2 (11.8%) | 0 | 2 (8.0%) | 0 | |
| Hyperproteic | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.9%) | 0 | 1 (4.0%) | 0 | |
| Age at onset | 19.7 (±6.06) | 18.4 (±6.1) | 20.4 (±6.0) | 21.8 (±7.1) | 17.4 (±3.6) | |
| Diagnosis | AN | 21 (41.1%) | 0 | 21 (65.6%) | 12 (46.2%) | 9 (36.0%) |
| BN | 11 (21.6%) | 9 (47.4%) | 2 (6.3%) | 9 (34.6%) | 2 (8.0%) | |
| BED | 8 (15.7%) | 6 (31.6%) | 2 (6.3%) | 1 (3.8%) | 7 (28.0%) | |
| OSFED | 11 (21.6%) | 4 (21.0%) | 7 (21.8%) | 4 (15.4%) | 7 (28.0%) | |
| Duration of illness (months) | 58.4 (±65.05) | 84.0 (±83.6) | 44.0 (±47.5) | 65.9 (±65.1) | 50.3 (±65.4) | |
| DUI (months) | 29.8 (±44.94) | 36.8 (±56.9) | 25.8 (±37.1) | 39.8 (±58.1) | 18.9 (±19.9) | |
| BMI | 22.9 (±6.75) | 27.6 (±6.2) | 20.2 (±5.5) | 20.7 (±4.3) | 25.3 (±8.0) | |
| Family history of mental disorders Missing n = 2 |
No | 29 (56.9%) | 9 (50%) | 20 (60.6%) | 15 (62.5%) | 14 (56.0%) |
| Yes | 20 (39.1%) | 9 (50.0%) | 11 (39.4%) | 9 (37.5%) | 11 (44.0%) | |
| Type of family history Missing n = 2 |
None | 29 (59.2%) | 9 (50.0%) | 20 (64.5%) | 15 (62.5%) | 14 (56.0%) |
| Major depression | 8 (16.3%) | 3 (16.7%) | 5 (16.1%) | 4 (16.7%) | 4 (16.0%) | |
| Anxiety disorders | 2 (4.1%) | 2 (11.1%) | 0 | 2 (8.3%) | 0 | |
| SUD | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.5%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.0%) | |
| EDs | 9 (18.4%) | 3 (16.7%) | 6 (19.4%) | 3 (12.5%) | 6 (24.0%) | |
| Obstetrical complications | None | 47 (92.1%) | 16 (84.1%) | 31 (96.9%) | 23 (88.5%) | 24 (96.0%) |
| Low weight (<2500 g) | 2 (3.9%) | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (3.1%) | 2 (7.7%) | 0 | |
| Premature (<32 weeks) | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Cord hypoxia | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.0%) | |
| Lifetime substance use disorders Missing n = 1 |
No | 45 (90.0%) | 15 (83.3%) | 30 (93.7%) | 22 (84.6%) | 23 (95.8%) |
| Yes | 5 (10.0%) | 3 (6.7%) | 2 (6.3%) | 4 (5.4%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Main type of substance use disorder Missing n = 1 |
None | 45 (90.0%) | 15 (83.3%) | 30 (93.7%) | 22 (84.6%) | 23 (95.8%) |
| Cannabinoids | 2 (4.0%) | 0 | 2 (6.3%) | 2 (7.8%) | 0 | |
| Opioids | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.4%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Cocaine | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.4%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Alcohol | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.4%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Poly-substance use disorders Missing n = 1 |
No | 48 (96.0%) | 16 (88.9%) | 32 (100%) | 25 (96.2%) | 23 (95.8%) |
| Yes | 2 (4.0%) | 2 (11.1%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Psychiatric comorbidity Missing n = 2 |
No | 36 (73.5%) | 9 (52.9%) | 27 (84.3%) | 17 (68.0%) | 19 (79.2%) |
| Yes | 13 (26.5%) | 8 (47.1%) | 5 (15.7%) | 8 (32.0%) | 5 (20.8%) | |
| Type of psychiatric comorbidity Missing n = 2 |
None | 36 (73.5%) | 9 (52.9%) | 27 (84.4%) | 17 (70.8%) | 19 (79.2%) |
| Major depression | 7 (14.3%) | 3 (17.7%) | 4 (12.5%) | 3 (12.5%) | 4 (16.6%) | |
| Anxiety disorders | 5 (10.2%) | 5 (29.4%) | 0 | 4 (16.6%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| OCD | 1 (2.0%) | 0 | 1 (3.1%) | 1 (4.1%) | 0 | |
| Multiple psychiatric comorbidity Missing n = 2 |
No | 49 (100%) | 17 (100%) | 32 (100%) | 25 (100%) | 24 (100%) |
| Lifetime psychotic symptoms Missing n = 1 |
No | 50 (100%) | 18 (100%) | 32 (100%) | 26 (100%) | 24 (100%) |
| Personality disorder Missing n = 6 |
No | 34 (75.6%) | 8 (53.3%) | 26 (86.7%) | 17 (70.8%) | 17 (80.9%) |
| Yes | 11 (24.4%) | 7 (46.7%) | 4 (13.3%) | 7 (29.2%) | 4 (19.1%) | |
| Type of personality disorder Missing n = 6 |
None | 34 (75.6%) | 8 (53.3%) | 26 (86.7%) | 17 (70.8%) | 17 (81.0%) |
| Schizotypic | 1 (2.2%) | 0 | 1 (3.3%) | 1 (4.2%) | 0 | |
| Borderline | 7 (15.6%) | 5 (3.3%) | 2 (6.7%) | 5 (20.8%) | 2 (9.5%) | |
| Hystrionic | 2 (4.4%) | 2 (3.4%) | 0 | 0 | 2 (9.5%) | |
| Obsessive-compulsive | 1 (2.2%) | 0 | 1 (3.3%) | 1 (4.2%) | 0 | |
| Lifetime suicide attempts | No | 51 (100%) | 19 (100%) | 32 (100%) | 26 (100%) | 25 (100%) |
| Lifetime hospitalizations Missing n = 4 |
No | 38 (80.9%) | 13 (76.5%) | 25 (83.3%) | 18 (75.0%) | 20 (86.9%) |
| Yes | 9 (19.1%) | 4 (23.5%) | 5 (16.7%) | 6 (25.0%) | 3 (13.1%) | |
| Number of hospitalizations | 0.3 (±0.81) | 0.5 (±1.1) | 0.2 (±0.6) | 0.4 (±0.9) | 0.3 (±0.7) | |
| Current pharmacological treatment | No | 37 (74.0%) | 11 (57.9%) | 25 (78.1%) | 18 (69.2%) | 18 (72.0%) |
| Yes | 14 (26.0%) | 8 (42.1%) | 7 (21.9%) | 8 (30.8%) | 7 (28.0%) | |
| Main current pharmacological treatment Missing n = 1 |
None | 37 (74.0%) | 12 (63.1%) | 25 (80.7%) | 18 (69.2%) | 19 (79.0%) |
| Sertraline | 3 (6.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 2 (6.5%) | 2 (7.8%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Escitalopram | 2 (4.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (3.2%) | 1 (3.8%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Vortioxetine | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Olanzapine | 1 (2.0%) | 0 | 1 (3.2%) | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Benzodiazepines | 1 (2.0%) | 0 | 1 (3.2%) | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Pregabalin | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Fluoxetine | 3 (6.0%) | 2 (10.4%) | 1 (3.2%) | 2 (7.8%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Melatonine | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Current poly-therapy Missing n = 1 |
No | 40 (80.0%) | 13 (68.4%) | 27 (87.1%) | 20 (76.9%) | 20 (83.3%) |
| Yes | 10 (20.0%) | 6 (31.6%) | 4 (12.9%) | 6 (23.1%) | 4 (16.7%) | |
| Current psychotherapy Missing n = 1 |
No | 37 (74.0%) | 13 (68.4%) | 24 (77.4%) | 19 (73.1%) | 18 (75.0%) |
| Yes | 13 (26.0%) | 6 (31.6%) | 7 (22.6%) | 7 (26.9%) | 6 (25.0%) | |
| Pharmacotherapy prescription | No | 36 (70.6%) | 9 (47.4%) | 27 (84.4%) | 19 (73.1%) | 17 (68.0%) |
| Yes | 15 (29.4%) | 10 (52.6%) | 5 (15.6%) | 7 (26.9%) | 8 (32.0%) | |
| Type of pharmacotherapy prescription Missing n = 2 |
None | 36 (73.5%) | 9 (47.4%) | 27 (90.0%) | 19 (73.2%) | 17 (74.0%) |
| Sertraline | 3 (6.1%) | 2 (10.5%) | 1 (3.3%) | 2 (7.7%) | 1 (4.3%) | |
| Escitalopram | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Vortioxetine | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 0 | |
| Zolpidem | 5 (10.3%) | 3 (15.7%) | 2 (6.7%) | 2 (7.7%) | 3 (13.1%) | |
| Benzodiazepine | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.3%) | |
| Pregabalin | 2 (4.1%) | 2 (10.5%) | 0 | 1 (3.8%) | 1 (4.3%) | |
| Duration of the last pharmacological treatment (months) | 1.2 (±2.57) | 2.7 (±3.7) | 0.4 (±1.0) | 1.1 (±2.3) | 1.4 (±2.9) | |
| Medical comorbidity Missing n = 3 |
No | 34 (70.8%) | 15 (78.9%) | 19 (65.5%) | 19 (76.0%) | 15 (65.2%) |
| Yes | 14 (29.2%) | 4 (21.1%) | 10 (34.5%) | 6 (24.0%) | 8 (34.8%) | |
| Thyroid disorders Missing n = 3 |
No | 47 (97.9%) | 18 (94.7%) | 29 (100%) | 25 (100%) | 22 (95.6%) |
| Yes | 1 (2.1%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.4%) | |
| Hypercholesterolemia Missing n = 2 |
No | 48 (98.0%) | 17 (94.4%) | 31 (100%) | 25 (100%) | 23 (95.8%) |
| Yes | 1 (2.0%) | 1 (5.6%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Diabetes Missing n = 1 |
No | 50 (100%) | 19 (100%) | 31 (100%) | 25 (100%) | 25 (100%) |
| Multiple medical comorbidities Missing n = 1 |
No | 48 (96.0%) | 19 (100%) | 29 (93.5%) | 24 (92.3%) | 24 (100%) |
| Yes | 2 (4.0%) | 0 | 2 (6.5%) | 2 (7.7%) | 0 | |
| Amenorrhea Missing n = 3 |
No | 28 (58.3%) | 14 (7.8%) | 14 (46.7%) | 10 (41.7%) | 18 (75.0%) |
| Yes | 9 (18.8%) | 1 (5.5%) | 8 (26.6%) | 8 (33.3%) | 1 (4.2%) | |
| Estroprogestinic therapy | 11 (22.9%) | 3 (16.7%) | 8 (26.6%) | 6 (25.0%) | 5 (20.8%) | |
| Self-induced vomiting | No | 36 (70.6%) | 10 (52.6%) | 26 (81.2%) | 11 (44.0%) | 25 (100%) |
| Yes | 15 (29.4%) | 9 (47.4%) | 6 (18.8%) | 15 (66.0%) | 0 | |
| Number of episodes of self-induced vomiting acts in the last month | 3.7 (±11.28) | 8.8 (±17.2) | 0.6 (±2.7) | 7.2 (±15.1) | 0 | |
| Laxative misuse | No | 42 (82.4%) | 15 (78.9%) | 27 (84.4%) | 17 (65.4%) | 25 (100%) |
| Yes | 9 (17.6%) | 4 (21.1%) | 5 (15.6%) | 9 (34.6%) | 0 | |
| Number of episodes of laxative use in the last month | 1.4 (±4.91) | 1.7 (±4.8) | 1.2 (±5.0) | 2.7 (±6.7) | 0 | |
| Diuretic misuse | No | 49 (96.1%) | 18 (94.7%) | 31 (96.9%) | 24 (92.3%) | 25 (100%) |
| Yes | 2 (3.9%) | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (3.1%) | 2 (7.7%) | 0 | |
| Number of episodes of diuretic use in the last month | 1.1 (±5.59) | 1.6 (±6.9) | 0.9 (±4.9) | 2.2 (±7.9) | 0 | |
| Compulsive exercise | No | 38 (74.5%) | 14 (73.7%) | 24 (75.0%) | 13 (50.0%) | 25 (100%) |
| Yes | 13 (25.5%) | 5 (26.3%) | 8 (25.0%) | 13 (50.0%) | 0 | |
| Number of episodes of compulsive exercises in the last month | 5.3 (±10.48) | 7.6 (±13.2) | 4.0 (±8.5) | 10.5 (±12.8) | 0 | |
| Number of objective binge-eating episodes in the last month | 7.4 (±15.0) | 19.8 (±19.1) | 0 | 5.9 (±12.0) | 8.9 (±17.7) | |
| Number of subjective binge-eating episodes in the last month | 3.3 (±11.93) | 6.1 (±18.1) | 1.7 (±5.6) | 2.5 (±6.6) | 4.1 (±15.8) | |
| Number of objective overeatings in the last month | 1.0 (±3.82) | 0.2 (±0.7) | 1.4 (±4.7) | 0.7 (±2.6) | 1.2 (±4.8) | |
| Dietary restraint (EDE subscale) | 3.1 (±1.58) | 2.9 (±1.5) | 3.1 (±1.6) | 3.2 (±1.5) | 3.0 (±1.7) | |
| Eating concern (EDE subscale) | 2.9 (±1.33) | 3.3 (±1.4) | 2.7 (±1.3) | 3.0 (±1.3) | 2.8 (±1.4) | |
| Body shape concern (EDE subscale) | 3.9 (±1.53) | 4.5 (±1.4) | 3.5 (±1.5) | 3.9 (±1.6) | 3.9 (±1.5) | |
| Weight concern (EDE subscale) | 3.1 (±1.57) | 3.8 (±1.3) | 2.8 (±1.6) | 3.0 (±1.6) | 3.2 (±1.5) | |
| EDE global score | 3.2 (±1.17) | 3.5 (±1.1) | 3.1 (±1.2) | 3.2 (±1.7) | 3.3 (±1.2) | |
| HAM-D | 9.1 (±5.18) | 10.5 (±4.5) | 8.3 (±5.4) | 8.2 (±5.2) | 9.5 (±5.2) | |
| HAM-A | 8.8 (±5.39) | 10.9 (±5.2) | 7.6 (±5.2) | 8.6 (±5.2) | 9.0 (±5.6) | |
| MADRS | 12.5 (±6.41) | 13.9 (±6.4) | 11.7 (±6.4) | 12.0 (±6.1) | 13.0 (±6.8) | |
| CGI-S | 3.9 (±0.88) | 3.9 (±0.9) | 3.9 (±0.9) | 4.1 (±0.6) | 3.7 (±1.1) | |
Legend: AN = anorexia nervosa; BED = binge-eating disorder; BMI = body mass index; BN = bulimia nervosa; CGI-S = Clinical Global Impression-severity subscale; DUI = duration of untreated illness; ED = eating disorder; EDE = eating disorder examination; HAM-A = Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; HAM-D = Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; MADRS = Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale; N = number; OCD = obsessive–compulsive disorder; OSFED = otherwise specified feeding and eating disorders; SUD = substance use disorder.