title: Profile of 50 women with midlife-onset eating disorders.
abstract: The aim of this study was to present a detailed profile of 50 women eating disorder (ED) inpatients who reported first ED onset at age 40 or above. We assessed patients' sociodemographics, severity-of-illness, comorbid diagnoses, personality profiles, and short-term treatment outcomes. Compared to patients of more traditional young adult ages, results revealed unique features of midlife-onset ED inpatients, including less severe and less common self-reported ED symptomology measured by the EDI-2; a predominance of pure restricting behaviors and rarity of bulimia; similar rates of co-occurring depression and anxiety but of less severity; fewer substance use disorders with a predominance of sedating/calming substance usage; many fewer Cluster C diagnoses on Axis II; substantially greater histories of sexual abuse; and different MMPI-2 profiles emphasizing much greater denial. The corresponding needs among midlife-onset ED inpatients for specialized assessment and treatment interventions are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating Disorders, Wickenburg, AZ 85390, USA. edward.cumella@remudaranch.com
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Cumella
authors.forename: Zina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kally
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome