Table 1 Baseline clinical characteristics in adolescent and adult patients with anorexia nervosa
Adolescents (N = 46) | Adults (N = 49) | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
Age , years | 15.5 (1.3) | 24.6 (5.2) | t = 11.78*** |
Gender, n (%) female | 46 (100%) | 48 (98.0%) | χ2 = 0.95 |
Marital status, n (%) | χ2 = 4.95 | ||
- single, never married | 46 (100%) | 42 (89.4%) | |
- married or living as such | 0 | 2 (4.3%) | |
- separated or divorced | 0 | 3 (6.4%) | |
Occupation , n (%) | χ2 = 35.41*** | ||
- full-time employment | 0 | 20 (40.1%) | |
- student | 46 (100%) | 22 (44.9%) | |
- homeworker | 0 | 5 (10.2%) | |
- unemployed | 0 | 2 (4.1%) | |
Duration of eating disorder, years, median (range) | 0.5 (0–5) | 3.0 (0–17.0) | Z = 4.17*** |
Weight | |||
- body weight (kg) | 40.0 (5.7) | 41.6 (6.0) | t = 1.33 |
- body mass index (kg/m2) | -- | 15.7 (1.4) | |
- body mass index centile^ | 2.86 (3.35) | -- | |
- weight 95% of that expected, n (%) | 1 (2.2) | -- | |
Eating disorder psychopathology | |||
- overall severity (global EDE-Q) | 2.79 (1.5) | 2.87 (1.5) | t = 0.26 |
- global EDE-Q <1SD above the community mean#, n(%) | 18 (41.9%) | 22 (46.8%) | χ2 = 0.32 |
- dietary restraint (EDE-Q subscale) | 2.69 (1.8) | 3.08 (2.0) | t = 1.00 |
- eating concern (EDE-Q subscale) | 2.58 (1.5) | 2.68 (1.6) | t = 0.31 |
- shape concern (EDE-Q subscale) | 3.17 (1.7) | 3.00 (1.7) | t = 0.49 |
- weight concern (EDE-Q subscale) | 2.75 (1.6) | 2.69 (1.5) | t = 0.19 |
Eating disorder behaviour (EDE-Q) | |||
- objective binge eating, n(%) present | 2 (4.3%) | 12 (24.5%) | χ2 = 7.66** |
if present, episodes/28 days, median(range) | 38.5 (7–70) | 4.0 (1–40) | |
- self-induced vomiting, n(%) present | 1 (2.2%) | 16 (32.7%) | χ2 = 15.00*** |
if present, episodes/28 days, median(range) | 120 | 9.5 (1–60) | |
- laxative misuse, n(%) present | 1 (2.2%) | 8 (16.3%) | χ2 = 5.54* |
if present, episodes/28 days, median(range) | 12 | 11.5 (3–84) | |
General psychiatric features, GSI | 1.18 (0.6) | 1.36 (0.7) | t = 1.34 |