Childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorders in adult eating disorder patients. A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been suggested to be overrepresented in anorexia nervosa. This study aimed to explore the comorbidity of ASD and other childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorders (COND) [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and tic disorders] in a group of severe eating disorder (ED) patients.


METHODS
Thirty female ED patients from a specialist hospital clinic were examined on measures tapping into COND and personality disorders.


RESULTS
In our group of longstanding ED, 53% had at least one COND diagnosis; 23% had ASD, 17% had AD/HD, and 27% had a tic disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that COND may be common in patients with severe ED and should be kept in mind when treating these patients.
Wentz
Elisabet
E
Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Göteborg University, Kungsgatan 12, 41119, Göteborg, Sweden.
Lacey
J Hubert
JH
Waller
Glenn
G
Råstam
Maria
M
Turk
Jeremy
J
Gillberg
Christopher
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*