Assessment of eating disorders in bariatric surgery candidates: self-report questionnaire versus interview

Abstract

Objective: To compare the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), an investigator-based interview for the assessment of the specific psychopathology of eating disorders, with the EDE-Q, a self-report questionnaire based directly on it.

Method: Ninety-eight morbidly obese gastric bypass surgery candidates were administered both instruments.

Results: The four subscale scores (Restraint, Eating Concern, Weight Concern, and Shape Concern) generated by the EDE and EDE-Q were significantly correlated, although the questionnaire scores were significantly higher. Eating Concern and Shape Concern exhibited the lowest levels of agreement. Frequency of binges (objective bulimic episodes) as rated by the EDE and EDE-Q was significantly correlated and was not significantly different. However, variability in ratings contributed to only modest agreement with respect to classification of patients as binge eaters.

Discussion: Overall, there were lower levels of agreement between the EDE and EDE-Q than have been previously found in other samples.