Inflammatory profiles in women with eating disorder: Linking inflammatory biomarkers to clinical phenotypes.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) represent a group of very complex and serious diagnoses characterized by emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. New approaches are necessary to achieve effective diagnosis and treatments. Shifting biomarker research away from the constraints of diagnostic categories may effectively contribute to a dimensional differentiation across disorders according to neurobiology (e.g., inflammatory biomarkers). Thus, the aim of our study was to identify inflammatory profiles in patients with ED. METHODS: A sample of 100 women with an ED (23.4 ± 8.55 years) and 59 healthy controls (HC) (20.22 ± 4.18 years) was used. K-means cluster analysis was followed to identify inflammatory clusters considering seven blood biomarkers (iNOS, TNFα, COX2, p38, ERK, TBARS and PPARγ). Moreover, a wide assessment of clinical features was conducted. RESULTS: Two distinct clusters were identified. Cluster 1 patients were characterized by higher inflammatory levels of TNF-α, COX2, p38, and ERK, and had more restrictive anorexia diagnosis than cluster 2. Cluster 2 participants showed higher inflammatory levels of iNOS and were older than cluster 1 and controls and had lower BMI than HC. In addition, they had higher levels of bulimic symptoms than those from the cluster 1 and HC, and higher impulsivity than HC. All ED patients (regardless of cluster) showed higher ED symptoms and more trauma than HC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that inflammatory dysfunction may be linked with clinical endophenotypes in ED, one more restrictive (cluster 1) with an inflammation/oxidative endophenotype more cytokine and MAPK/ERK mediated, and the other more impulsive, with more bulimic symptoms (cluster 2) with NO free radical high output source iNOS. Trauma seems to be a vulnerability factor for both endophenotypes.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in female eating disorders and borderline personality disorders with emotional dysregulation as linking factors with impulsivity and trauma.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders (ED) are both disorders with emotional dysregulation that may share some similar biological underpinnings, leading to oxidative/inflammatory alterations. Unfortunately, to date, no studies have assessed the relationship between clinical features, inflammatory alterations and childhood trauma across these disorders. Our aim was to identify the potential common and disorder-specific inflammatory pathways and examine possible associations between these dysregulated pathways and the clinical features. METHODS: We studied a sample of 108 women (m = 27.17 years; sd = 7.64), divided into four groups: 23 patients with a restrictive ED (ED-R), 23 patients with a bingeeating/ purging ED (ED-P) and 26 patients with BPD; whereas the control group included 23 healthy subjects. Several inflammatory/oxidative parameters: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), p38 mitogenactivated protein kinases, ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases and c-Jun NH2- terminal kinase (JNK), and some antiinflammatory antioxidant elements: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Kelch-like ECHassociated protein (Keap1) were determined in plasma or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, clinical, impulsivity, trauma and eating behavior questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: Three main inflammatory/oxidative components were extracted using principal component analysis (59.19 % of biomarker variance explained). Disorder-specific dysfunction in the inflammatory and oxidative pathways in patients with BPD and ED were revealed by means of relationships with specific principal components (p < .01). BPD patients showed higher levels of a component featured by elevated levels of JNK and lower of GPx and SOD. ED-R and impulsivity were associated with a component featured by the activation of ERK and negative influence of Keap1. The component featured by the suppression of catalase and COX2 was associated with both ED subtypes and trauma exposure. CONCLUSION: Several risk factors such as trauma, impulsivity and eating disorder symptoms were transdiagnostically associated with some inflammatory alterations regardless of diagnosis. These findings suggest that the clinical profile comprising trauma exposure and an emotional dysregulation disorder might constitute a specific endophenotype highly linked with inflammatory alterations.

Transdiagnostic Study of Impulsivity and Self-Injurious Behaviour in Unstable and Impulsive Disorders.

High comorbidity between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders (ED) shows the necessity of developing transdiagnostic models, where impulsivity could play a relevant role in the manifestations of self-injurious behaviour.

Mediators between sexual abuse and eating disorder severity: A comparative case-control study in treatment-naïve patients.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual abuse is associated with eating disorders (EDs) severity. However, the psychological mediators of this association have received scant attention in the literature. METHOD: The present study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of psychological maladjustment, alexithymia, and self-esteem in the relationship between sexual abuse and EDs severity in a sample of 134 treatment-naïve patients with an EDs and 129 paired healthy controls. RESULTS: In the EDs group, EDs severity among participants who had been sexually abused was mediated by greater psychological maladjustment and alexithymia (indirect effects: ß = 12.55, 95% CI [6.11-19.87] p < 0.001; ß = 3.22, 95% CI [0.235-7.97] p < 0.05, respectively). By contrast, these variables had no significant mediating effect on EDs severity in the control group. DISCUSSION: These findings support the hypothesis of a disorder-related relationship between sexual abuse and alexithymia and psychological maladjustment, which, in turn, influences EDs severity. Alexithymia and psychological maladjustment appear to be promising therapeutic targets for patients with EDs who have a history of sexual abuse.

Estudio Transdiagnóstico de la Impulsividad y de la Conducta Autolítica en los Trastornos Impulsivos e Inestables / Transdiagnostic study of impulsivity and self-injurious behavior in unstable and impulsive disorders

Introducción. La elevada comorbilidad entre el trastorno límite de la personalidad (TLP) y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) pone de manifiesto la necesidad de establecer modelos transdiagnósticos, donde la impulsividad podría tener un papel relevante en las manifestaciones dela conducta autolítica. Objetivos: 1) Comparar los niveles de impulsividad y conducta autolítica entre personas con TLP, personas con TCA y controles. 2) Predecir la presencia de conductas autolíticas a partir de la impulsividad y otras variables clínicas relevantes, como la vivencia de acontecimientos traumáticos y la sensibilidad al rechazo. Método. 108 mujeres (23 controles; 29 con diagnóstico de TCA restrictivo (TCAr); 21 con diagnóstico de TCA purgativo (TCAp); y 35 con diagnóstico de TLP) fueron evaluadas a través de la Escala de Impulsividad de Barratt, el Cuestionario para Experiencias Traumáticas y el Cuestionario de Sensibilidad al Rechazo. La información sobre conducta autolítica fue recogida a través de entrevista e historia clínica. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias en las puntuaciones de impulsividad y conducta autolítica entre los grupos, encontrándose mayor impulsividad en los grupos TLP y TCAp, y mayores índices de conducta autolítica en el grupo TLP seguido de ambos grupos de TCA. Por otro lado, la impulsividad predecía los intentos de suicidio, y junto con la sensibilidad al rechazo interpersonal predecía las autolesiones no suicidas (ANS).Conclusión. La impulsividad es una variable dimensional en el TLP y en los TCA, que a su vez juega un papel relevante en la predicción de las conductas autolíticas. (AU)

Introduction. High comorbidity between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders (ED) shows the necessity of developing transdiagnostic models, where impulsivity could play a relevant role in the manifestations ofself-injurious behaviour. Objectives: 1) To compare the levelsof impulsivity and self-injurious behaviour among peoplewith BPD, people with ED and controls. 2) To predict the presence of self-injurious behaviour based on impulsivity andother relevant clinical variables, such as the experience oftraumatic events and sensitivity to rejection. Methods. 108 women (23 controls; 29 with a diagnosis of restrictive ACT (rED); 21 with a diagnosis of purgative ACT(pED); and 35 with a diagnosis of BPD) were assessed usingthe Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Traumatic Experiences Questionnaire and the Sensitivity to Rejection Questionnaire. Information about self-injurious behaviour was collectedthrough interview and clinical history. Results. Differences in impulsivity and self-injurious behaviour scores were found between the groups, with higherimpulsivity in the BPD and pED groups, and higher rates ofself-injurious behaviour in the BPD group followed by both ED groups. On the other hand, impulsivity predicted suicideattempts, and together with sensitivity to interpersonal rejection predicted nonsuicidal self-harm (NSSH). Conclusion. Impulsivity is a dimensional variable in BPD and ED, which in turn plays a relevant role in the prediction of self-injurious behaviour. (AU)

Low levels of proinflammatory cytokines in a transdiagnostic sample of young male and female early onset eating disorders without any previous treatment: A case control study.

Growing interest exists in the association of the immune system and its role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (ED). Current evidence suggests that serum cytokine levels seem to be elevated in females with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, less is known in bulimia nervosa (BN) and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED), specially in males. We aimed to perform a case-control study in a sample of forty eight young patients (38 females and 10 males) with early diagnosis of AN, BN or OSFED and without any previous treatment, compared with twenty nine healthy controls (19 females and 10 males) matched by age, sex and socioeconomic status. We evaluated eating-related psychopathology and depressive symptoms and measured serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Contrary to expectations, levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were significantly lower in ED patients, compared with healthy controls. Comparing the different groups of females, we found elevated levels of IL-10 among ED patients therefore supporting the idea of an immunosuppressive status in the early stages. This could indicate that early onset patients without any previous treatment could remain in a reward-dependent state with a lower immune response.

A retrospective investigation of the prodromal stages of eating disorders and use of health services in young patients the year prior to the diagnosis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics and the frequency of medical consultations in the year prior to the diagnosis and the intervention onset of the Eating Disorder, as well as the different prodromal symptoms. The final aim was to understand the origin of all referrals and their possible influence on the duration of untreated illness. METHODS: We selected 99 young patients (15-25 years) and 61 healthy controls. Their primary and specialized care medical records were both studied retrospectively. RESULTS: 87.6% of patients attended different consultations (primary care, specialized care and emergency department) the year prior compared to 67.2% of the controls (p = .002). The average number of consultations was 3.59 in the case group and 1.57 in the control group (p < .001). These consultations were related to prodromal symptoms in 57.4% compared to 16.4% for the controls (p < .001). They ranged from 29.8% of unspecific digestive symptoms, 22.8% of psychological symptoms, 19.3% of gynaecologic symptoms, 11.9% of weight variation, 8.8% of analytical changes, to 5.3% of malnutrition symptoms. Patients were mainly referred by Primary Care (42.7%). Overall, the mean of the Duration of Untreated Illness was of 7.45 months. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of reasons for consultation were related to symptoms that could be prodromal symptoms, but the patients were not diagnosed with an eating disorder. These findings highlight the importance of professionals understanding how to identify the warning signs of an eating disorder, so they can refer patients to a specialized unit to establish an early treatment.

Characteristics of patients in an eating disorder sample who dropped out: 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript explores the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder who dropped out of treatment, compared with those who completed it. METHOD: The participants were 196 patients diagnosed with eating disorders (according to DSM-IV-TR criteria) who consecutively began treatment for the first time in an eating disorders unit. They were assessed at baseline with a set of questionnaires evaluating eating habits, temperament, and general psychopathology. During the follow-up period, patients who dropped out were re-assessed via a telephone interview. RESULTS: In the course of a 2-year follow-up, a total of 80 (40.8%) patients were labeled as dropouts, and 116 (59.2%) remaining subjects were considered completers. High TCI scores in the character dimensions of Disorderliness (NS4) (p < .01) and total Novelty Seeking (NST), along with low scores in Dependency (RD4), were significantly associated with dropout in the course of 2 years. Once the results were submitted to logistic regression analysis, dropout only remained associated with high scores in Disorderliness (NS4) and, inversely, with an initial Anorexia Nervosa (AN) diagnosis (p < .05). Reasons for dropout stated by the patients included logistic difficulties, subjective improvement of their condition, and lack of motivation. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should handle the first therapeutic intervention with particular care in order to enhance their understanding of clients and their ability to rapidly identify those who are at risk of dropping out of treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Cohort Study.

Longitudinal associations between resilience and quality of life in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the longitudinal reciprocal associations between resilience factors, quality of life (QoL) domains, and symptoms of eating disorders (EDs). Hypotheses included predictive paths from resilience factors of "acceptance of self and life" and "personal competence" to increased QoL and predictive paths from previous levels of QoL to resilience. METHOD: A total of 184 patients with EDs (mean age = 29.55, SD = 9.17, 94.8% women) completed measures of resilience, QoL, and EDs symptoms over three waves spaced six month apart. Hypotheses were tested by path analysis. RESULTS: Resilience factors predicted improvements in psychological health and social relationship domains of QoL and a reduction of ED symptoms over time. In addition, psychological health increased acceptance of self and life consistently over time, whereas physical health increased the competence component of resilience. DISCUSSION: The relationships between resilience factors and QoL are reciprocal, with several mediational paths. A spiral of recursive influences between resilience factors and QoL can take place in people with EDs. This possibility offers new perspectives to understanding the process of recovery in patients with ED.

Motivo de abandono del tratamiento desde la perspectiva del paciente con un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria / Reason for treatment abandonment from the perspective of the patient with an eating disorder

Los tratamientos psicológicos y farmacológicos para los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria comportan costes personales y sanitarios. En este trabajo estudiamos los diferentes motivos que pueden estar asociados al abandono en ambos tipos de tratamientos en pacientes diagnosticados con un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria, así como el tipo de abandono: abandono tras evaluar, abandono precoz y tardío. Por otro lado, analizamos si existe alguna relación entre el diagnóstico y el tipo de abandono. Se examinaron diversas características (edad, sexo, diagnóstico, motivos y tipos de abandono, y satisfacción respecto a la unidad de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria) en 212 pacientes atendidos en un servicio especializado en el tratamiento de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria durante un periodo de dos años. Nuestros datos apoyan la hipótesis de que el tipo de abandono de los tratamientos más frecuente es de tipo tardío, motivado por la mejoría del trastorno de la conducta alimentaria, mientras que no se verifica que exista relación alguna entre el diagnóstico y el tipo de abandono. Nuestros resultados indican que los motivos de abandono son heterogéneos. Se pueden establecer dos perfiles diferenciados de abandono; uno ligado a la mejoría y a los impedimentos físicos temporales, y otro relacionado con motivos diversos.

Psychological and pharmacological treatments for eating disorder involve personal and health costs. In this paper we study the various reasons that may be associated to abandonment in both types of treatments in patients diagnosed with a disorder of eating behavior and the kind of neglect: neglect after evaluation, early and late abandonment. On the other hand, we analyze whether there is any relationship between the diagnosis and the type of abandonment. Various characteristics (age, sex, diagnosis, motives and types of neglect, and satisfaction with the unit eating disorder) in 212 patients treated at a specialized service in the treatment of eating disorder were examined during a period of two years. Our data support the hypothesis that the rate of abandonment of the most common treatments is delayed type, motivated by the improvement of the disorder of eating behavior, while no verified that there is some relationship between the diagnosis and the type of abandonment. Our results indicate that the reasons for dropping out are heterogeneous. You can set two different profiles of dropouts, one linked to improvement and to temporary disability, and other related tovarious reasons

Planning Abilities in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa Compared with Healthy Controls.

OBJECTIVE: Altered cognitive functioning could have an important role in the development and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The majority of previous research has focused on flexibility and global-detail processing. The aim of this study was to explore planning abilities in women with AN. METHOD: Women with AN (n = 32) were compared to healthy controls (n = 42) using two different types of neuropsychological tasks for the assessment of planning abilities: Tower of London (ToL), a classic measure of planning abilities, and Zoo Map test, a more ecologically valid planning measure. Measures of AN psychopathology, anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsivity were also collected. RESULTS: The AN group did not differ from controls in the ToL (all p-values p > .05), although they performed significantly worse than controls in the main score of the Zoo Map (p = .02). A worse performance in the Zoo Map test More was associated with more eating disorders (rho = -.44, p = .018) and depressive (rho = -.42, p = .026) symptoms in the AN group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the presence of subtle planning difficulties in women with AN which might be better detected using tasks with increased ecological validity.

Resilience in eating disorders: A qualitative study.

The objectives of the authors in this study were two-fold: (1) to explore the role of resilience in recovery from eating disorders (EDs), and (2) to develop a model of resilience in women with EDs. Semi-structured interviews with ten women were conducted in April 2011, along with two focus groups with women who had recovered from EDs (n  = 5 women each; conducted in April 2012 at the University of Deusto, Spain), one focus group with clinical experts (n = 8; conducted in April 2012 at the Foundation Against EDs of Biskay, Spain), and six narratives from primary caregivers of ED patients living in Biskay, Spain (conducted in November 2012). All data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. All female participants acknowledged experiencing resilience in their recovery. The analysis resulted in a conceptual model of resilience composed of the following categories: deep dissatisfaction with life, turning point, acceptance, hope, determination to change, accountability for the ED, active coping, getting social support, gaining self-knowledge, getting information about EDs, increase well-being, trait resilience, initiating new projects and living in the here and now. According to the model presented, resilience preceded the experience of recovery in women with EDs in this sample and could be a useful asset for future interventions.

Resilience Scale-25 Spanish version: validation and assessment in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To validate into Spanish the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale - 25 (RS-25), assess and compare the scores on the scale among women from the general population, eating disorder (ED) patients and recovered ED patients. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study. ED participants were invited to participate by their respective therapists. The sample from the general population was gathered via an open online survey. Participants (N general population=279; N ED patients=124; and N recovered ED patients=45) completed the RS-25, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-BREF and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Mean age of participants ranged from 28.87 to 30.42years old. Statistical analysis included a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and ANOVA. RESULTS: The two-factor model of the RS-25 produced excellent fit indexes. Measurement invariance across samples was generally supported. The ANOVA found statistically significant differences in the RS-25 mean scores between the ED patients (Mean=103.13, SD=31.32) and the recovered ED participants (Mean=138.42, SD=22.26) and between the ED patients and the general population participants (Mean=136.63, SD=19.56). DISCUSSION: The Spanish version of the RS-25 is a psychometrically sound measurement tool in samples of ED patients. Resilience is lower in people diagnosed with ED than in recovered individuals and the general population.

The Spanish validation of an Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale (EDSIS) among caregivers.

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale (EDSIS-S), which is designed to evaluate an eating disorders-specific caregiving experience. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 Spanish caregivers of relatives with an eating disorder. Measures included the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Socio-demographic variables of the carers and clinical variables of the patients were collected. Results supported the factorial structure, reliability and convergent validity of the instrument and the instrument was acceptable for assessing the eating disorders-specific experience of caregiving in Spain. Almost all of the factor loadings were >0.40. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were mostly superior to 0.70. The EDSIS-S instrument has good psychometric properties and is similar to the original in terms of validity and reliability. Further examination of the factor structure of this instrument among adult samples is indicated. From a clinical perspective, the EDSIS allows for tailoring caregiver interventions to address the specific impact of symptoms on individual carers.

Rhabdomyolysis and drug abuse in a patient with bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa, have long been associated with alcohol and illicit drug abuse. Impulsivity has been linked to substance abuse, but there are other explanations for this association. This comorbidity could be very harmful, even deadly, because of the medical consequences of drug abuse. METHOD: This article reports on the case of a 23-year-old woman with bulimia nervosa, severe alcohol and illicit drug abuse, and impulsive behavior who developed rhabdomyolysis. One of the reasons for her drug addiction was the effect of these substances in appetite suppression. RESULTS: The patient successfully recovered after medical and psychological treatment. CONCLUSION: This article presents the case of a patient with bulimia nervosa and a serious medical complication of illicit drug abuse. It is important to be aware of the increased risk of morbidity and mortality for this patient group.