title: Misuse of laxatives among adult outpatients with eating disorders: prevalence and profiles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study investigated the prevalence of laxative misuse among adult outpatients with eating disorders, distinguished demographic and psychobehavioral profiles of laxative misusers, identified specific predictors of laxative misuse, and explored whether prevalence rates and psychobehavioral profiles differ across eating disorder diagnoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for 201 consecutive patients. Laxative misusers and nonmisusers were compared on demographic variables, measures of eating-related and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, and general psychopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three (26.4%) patients had misused laxatives in the month before assessment. Laxative misusers scored significantly higher than nonmisusers on measures of anorexic behaviors and cognitions, restraint, and weight and shape concerns. They also displayed higher levels of depression and self-directed hostility. Laxative misuse was specifically predicted by anorexic behaviors and depression. Across diagnoses, proportions of misusers versus nonmisusers were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laxative misuse remains prevalent among adult outpatients and is associated with increased severity of clinical presentation, regardless of the eating disorder diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust Eating Disorder Service, Eastleigh, United Kingdom. rachel.bryant-waugh@ntlworld.com
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bryant-Waugh
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: East
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Rajnikant
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002400:Cathartics; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics