The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between the presence of a pathological family background and various eating disorders subgroups. A semi-structured interview was used to assess the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and the presence of psychological complaints among family members of 79 subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 34 subjects with bulimia nervosa (BN). The subjects were also administered the following self-assessment questionnaires: BITE, EDI, and HSCL-90. There were nonsignificant differences between AN and BN in terms of parental mental disorders. A further subdivision of the patients (as indicated in DSM-IV) revealed significant differences in the distribution of psychiatric family history. In particular, it seems that the presence of purgative behavior is associated with a higher incidence of a pathological family background. These results suggest that pathological family histories are not responsible for the development of ED, but they are an aggravating factor both in AN and BN.

This content is only available via PDF.
© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.