High prevalence of eating disorders not otherwise specified in northwestern Spain: population-based study

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the incidence and prevalence of eating disorder and its clinical forms.

Methods: All new ED cases of both genders, ≥15 years old, diagnosed from January 2005 to December 2009 were included. All patients who suffered from ED in December 2009 were included in the prevalence study. This is a prospective, population-based study. Cumulative incidence rates and 20-year prevalence were calculated.

Results: The ED incidence was 14.1 (95% CI 11.4-16.1) cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, for AN, BN and EDNOS 3.1 (95% CI 2.00-4.1), 4.4 (95% CI 3.0-8.00) and 6.5 (95% CI 4.8-7.9), respectively. The incidence of ED at the four age-intervals, 15-24, 25-34, 35-45 and >45 years, revealed that the 25-34-year interval had the highest incidence; moreover, new cases were observed even in the >45-year interval. The prevalence of ED was 82.8 (95% CI 69.4-94.5) per 100,000 inhabitants, being for AN, BN and EDNOS 18.6 (95% CI 12.5-24.4), 25.7 (95% CI 18.5-32.5) and 38.3 (95% CI 29.4-46.5), respectively.

Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of EDNOS are the highest in the ED cases; furthermore, new cases of ED are observed above the age of 45, which are remarkable data.