title: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in eating disorders.
abstract: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were measured in a consecutive series of new referrals with anorexia nervosa (n = 29) and bulimia nervosa (n = 77). In contrast with previous reports, there was no significant difference on MOCI scores between eating disorder groups and normal controls. A consecutive series of 38 patients with bulimia nervosa then entered a structured treatment programme. Poor outcome cases had a higher score on the MOCI-doubting sub-scale. However, there was no significant difference in obsessive-compulsive scores between those who were binge-free and those who were bingeing daily at the end of treatment and there was no significant in outcome between high and low-scorers on the MOCI. This study fails to support the view that the eating disorders are a subtype of OCD. Previous conflicting results are attributed to selection bias and the effects of low body weight.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, England.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fahy
mesh_terms: D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires