RESUMEN
Context: There is a relative paucity of prevalence data about eating disorders (EDs) in India among young population. Aims: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of EDs and abnormal eating behaviors among college students of a nonmetro city of Gujarat. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional survey was done among five colleges of a nonmetro city in Gujarat from February to September 2019. Subjects and Methods: Total 790 college students were assessed using a semi-structured format, Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh followed by structured clinical interview as per DSM-5 criteria for EDs. Statistical Analysis: Outcomes were expressed in frequency, proportion, mean, and standard deviation. P values were calculated by Pearson Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to determine the significance of the result. Results: The prevalence of abnormal eating behaviors was 25.2% (n = 199). Anorexia nervosa (AN) was not detected. The prevalence of bulimia nervosa (BN) was 0.2% and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) was 0.6%. "Being aware of calorie content" (53.7%) and "preoccupation with desire of thinness" (46.3%) were commonly found. "Impulse to vomit after meals" (2.5%) was least common. Lower body mass index was found among subjects with abnormal eating behavior. None of the subjects had amenorrhea. Conclusions: The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors, BN, and OSFED was 25.2%, 0.2%, and 0.6%, respectively. AN was not detected. OSFED was the most common ED and the characteristic "body image disturbance" was the most common symptom.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) characterized by mood changes, anxiety, and somatic symptoms experienced during the specific time of menstrual cycle. Prevalence data of PMS and PMDD is sparse among college girls in India. AIMS: The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of PMS and PMDD among college students of Bhavnagar (Gujarat), its associated demographic and menstrual factors, to rank common symptoms and compare premenstrual symptom screening tool (PSST) with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR defined PMDD (SCID-PMDD) for sensitivity and specificity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was done in five colleges of Bhavnagar. Of 529 subjects approached, 489 college girls were finally analyzed for sociodemographic data, menstrual history, and PSST. SCID-PMDD was applied among those who were positive on PSST and 20% of those who were negative. The data were analyzed using OpenEpi Version 2. Chi-square test was done for qualitative variables and analysis of variance for quantitative variables. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for PSST. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMS was 18.4%. Moderate to severe PMS was 14.7% and PMDD was 3.7% according to DSM IV-TR and 91% according to International Classification of Diseases, 10(th) edition criteria. The symptoms commonly reported were "fatigue/lack of energy," "decrease interest in work," and "anger/irritability." The most common functional impairment item was "school/work efficiency and productivity." PSST has 90.9% sensitivity, 57.01% specificity, and 97.01% predictive value of negative test. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of PMS among college students is similar to other studies from Asia. PSST is a useful screening tool for PMS, and it should be confirmed by more specific tool as by SCID-PMDD. Routine screening with PSST can identify college girls who can improve with treatment.
