title: Impact of DSM-5 PTSD and gender on impaired eating behaviors in 512 Italian earthquake survivors.
abstract: Considerable comorbidity rates between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders have been recently reported, as well as increased obesity and underweight conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible associations between DSM-5 PTSD, gender and impaired eating habits in a sample of 512 Italian earthquake survivors evaluated by the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR) and the Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR). Alterations in eating behaviors were assessed by means of four MOODS-SR items: n=150 (…there was no food that appealed to you or tasted good to you?), n=151 (…you constantly craved sweets or carbohydrates?), n=152 (…your appetite or weight decreased?), n=153 (…your appetite or weight increased?). In a Decision Tree procedure subjects with PTSD with respect to those without and, in the No-PTSD subgroup, females with respect to males, had a significantly higher ratio of at least one MOODS-SR eating behavior item (MOODS-SR EB). In the No-PTSD subgroup only, subjects with at least one MOODS-SR EB presented a significantly higher mean TALS-SR symptomatological domains total score with respect to those without MOODS-SR EB. In conclusion, alterations in eating behaviors were associated with PTSD after the L׳Aquila earthquake; among survivors without PTSD significant a correlation emerged between MOODS-SR EB and PTSD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: ccarmassi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carmassi
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antonio Bertelloni
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Massimetti
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miniati
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L׳Aquila, L׳Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stratta
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L׳Aquila, L׳Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dell Osso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Eating behaviors; Gender; Obesity; PTSD; Trauma