Towards a physiologically based diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), while including such physiological data as weight and the reproductive status of the individual, are primarily based on questionnaires and interviews that rely on self-report of both body-related concerns and eating-related behaviors. While some key components of eating disorders are psychological and thus introspective in nature, reliance on self-report for the assessment of eating-related behaviors and nutritional status lacks the objectivity that a physiologically based measure could provide. The development of a more physiologically informed diagnosis for AN and BN would provide a more objective means of diagnosing these disorders, provide a sound physiological basis for diagnosing subclinical disorders and could also aid in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for these disorders. Empirically supported, physiologically based methods for diagnosing AN and BN are reviewed herein as well as promising physiological measures that may potentially be used in the diagnosis of AN and BN.
Hatch
Kent A
KA
Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. khatch@byu.edu
Spangler
Diane L
DL
Backus
Elizabeth M
EM
Balagna
Jonathan T
JT
Burns
Keven S
KS
Guzman
Brooke S
BS
Hubbard
Matthew J
MJ
Lindblad
Stephanie L
SL
Roeder
Beverly L
BL
Ryther
Natalie E
NE
Seawright
Max A
MA
Tyau
Jaymie N
JN
Williams
Dustin
D
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001828:Body Image; D015519:Bone Density; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D016207:Cytokines; D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D005947:Glucose