-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be a risk factor for the development of an eating disorder (ED) later in life, but prospective studies are lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ED at follow-up and clinical predictors in a longitudinal clinical sample of adolescents/young adults diagnosed with OCD in childhood.MethodAll contactable (n=231) young people with OCD assessed over 9 years at a national and specialist paediatric OCD clinic were included in this study. At follow-up, 126 (57%) young people and parents completed the ED section of the Developmental and Well-being Assessment. Predictors for ED were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 16 participants (12.7%) had a diagnosis of ED at follow-up. Having an ED was associated with female gender and persistent OCD at follow-up. There was a trend for family history of ED being predictive of ED diagnosis. Five (30%) of those who developed an ED at follow-up had ED symptoms or food-related obsessions/compulsions at baseline. A difference in predictors for an ED versus other anxiety disorders at follow-up was identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial evidence that baseline clinical predictors such as female gender and family history of ED might be specific to the later development of ED in the context of childhood OCD. Clinicians should be alert to ED subthreshold symptoms in young girls presenting with OCD. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the relationship between childhood OCD and later ED.
Psychological Medicine 06/2011; · 6.16 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often starts in childhood and adolescence and can be a chronic disorder with high persistence rates. There are few prospective long-term follow-up studies.
To follow up young people with OCD to clarify persistence rates and relevant predictors, presence of other psychiatric disorders, functional impairment, service utilisation and perceived treatment needs.
All young people with OCD assessed over 9 years at the National and Specialist Paediatric OCD clinic, Maudsley Hospital, London, were included. Sixty-one per cent (142 of 222) of all contactable young people and parents completed computerised diagnostic interviews and questionnaires.
We found a persistence rate of OCD of 41%; 40% of participants had a psychiatric diagnosis other than OCD at follow-up. The main predictor for persistent OCD was duration of illness at assessment. High levels of baseline psychopathology predicted other psychiatric disorders at follow-up. Functional impairment and quality of life were mildly to moderately affected. Approximately 50% of participants were still receiving treatment and about 50% felt a need for further treatment.
This study confirms that paediatric OCD can be a chronic condition that persists into adulthood. Early recognition and treatment might prevent chronicity. Important challenges for services are ensuring adequate treatment and a smooth transition from child to adult services.
The British journal of psychiatry: the journal of mental science 08/2010; 197(2):128-34. · 6.62 Impact Factor
-
N Micali,
J Holliday,
A Karwautz,
M Haidvogl,
G Wagner,
F Fernandez-Aranda,
A Badia,
L Gimenez,
R Solano,
M Brecelj-Anderluh,
R Mohan,
D Collier,
J L Treasure
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Previous studies have suggested that childhood eating and weight problems may be risk factors for eating disorders. Robust evidence is still lacking.
To investigate whether childhood eating and weight problems increase the risk of eating disorders in affected women compared to their unaffected sisters.
Women (150) with anorexia (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) recruited from clinical and community samples were compared to their unaffected sister closest in age on maternal reports of childhood eating and weight.
Women with BN were significantly more overweight at the ages of 5 and 10 (both OR = 2.8, p < 0.01), ate a lot (OR = 1.3, p < 0.01), were less picky (OR = 0.6, p < 0.05) and ate quickly (OR = 2.3, p < 0.05) between the ages of 6 and 10 compared to their healthy sisters. Significantly more women with AN were described as having a higher weight at 6 months (OR = 0.8, p < 0.01) and 1 year (OR = 0.6, p < 0.01) compared to their healthy sisters. Childhood eating was comparable in the women with AN and their unaffected sisters.
Traits of childhood overeating were more common in bulimic women compared to their unaffected siblings. Subjects with AN did not differ from their sisters on eating variables. The increased risk of BN due to childhood overweight suggests that prevention strategies for childhood obesity and overweight may therefore be applicable in BN.
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 02/2007; 76(4):234-41. · 6.28 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine if relatives of children with autism and less severe pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) have higher rates of various components of the broad autistic phenotype. Psychiatric and medical disorders were investigated. Parents of children with PDDs were selected from an epidemiological survey and compared with parents of control children with non-autistic developmental problems. Rates of abnormalities and disorders were compared in relatives of 79 cases and 61 controls. Medical and autoimmune disorders in both groups were endorsed by few relatives. Specific developmental disorders were commoner in parents of controls. Depression and anxiety were significantly more prevalent in mothers of children with PDDs. Significantly more PDD children had at least one first-degree relative with anxiety and one second-degree relative with OCD. PDDs were commoner in first-degree relatives. The implications of the findings for the definition of the broad phenotype of autism are discussed.
Autism 04/2004; 8(1):21-37. · 2.27 Impact Factor
