title: The severity of ADHD and eating disorder symptoms: a correlational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and eating disorders (ED) share several clinical features. Research on the association between ADHD and ED is still quite sparse and findings are ambiguous.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlations between the severity of ADHD key features (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Self-Rating questionnaire) and the severity of specific ED symptoms (Structured Interview for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa) were examined in 32 female patients diagnosed with ED.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most correlations between the severity of ADHD features and the severity of ED symptoms were low (r<0.30) and did not reach statistical significance. The only exception was a statistically significant, but counterintuitive association between impulsivity and the avoidance of fattening food.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in this small sample suggest a weak link between the severity of ADHD key features and the severity of single ED symptoms in female patients with ED. The role of ADHD features for the development, maintenance, and treatment of EDs seems to be intricate and requires further study.
authors: Psychiatric Services Aargau AG, Baden, Switzerland. niklaus.stulz@pdag.ch
authors: Niklaus
authors: N
authors: Stulz
authors: Urs
authors: U
authors: Hepp
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Gächter
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: Martin-Soelch
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Spindler
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Milos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
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