title: Audit of digestive complaints and psychopathological traits in patients with eating disorders: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophago-gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported by patients with eating disorders. Scanty data exist on the relationship between psychopathological traits and digestive complaints.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively analyze (i) prevalence of digestive symptoms; (ii) psychopathological traits; (iii) relationship between symptom scores and psychopathological profiles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychopathological and digestive symptom questionnaires were completed at baseline, at discharge, at 1 and 6 months' follow-up in 48 consecutive patients (85.4% female, median age, 15 years) hospitalized for eating disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequently reported symptoms were postprandial fullness (96%) and abdominal distention (90%). Pooled esophageal (4; IQR 0-14) and gastrointestinal (34; IQR 19-53) symptoms significantly decreased at 6 months' follow-up (1; IQR 0-3 and 10; IQR 4-34; p<0.0001 and p<0.005, respectively). Pooled gastrointestinal symptoms significantly correlated with hypochondriasis (r=0.42, p<0.01). Both esophageal and gastrointestinal symptoms improved in patients with normal values of hypochondriasis and hysteria scales (p<0.05 and p<0.005, respectively) compared to those with pathological traits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Digestive symptoms are frequently reported by patients with eating disorders with their expression and outcome being influenced by psychopathological profiles. Hypochondriasis and hysteria traits are predictive factors for symptomatic improvement.
authors.affiliation: Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano (Mi), Italy. beatrice.salvioli@humanitas.it
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salvioli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellicciari
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iero
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moscano
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gualandi
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stanghellini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruggeri
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franzoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Eating disorders; Esophago-gastrointestinal symptoms; MMPI; Psychopathological traits