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Panic-agoraphobic spectrum in obese binge eaters

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Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the frequency of the panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms in a sample of obese subjects affected by Binge Eating Disorder (BED) vs controls. Method: Fifty obese with BED were matched by age, sex and marital status to twenty-five normal weight controls. The Structured Clinical Interview For Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum — SCI-PAS was administered to all participants. Results: Obese subjects with BED presented significantly higher frequencies of typical and atypical panic symptoms (82% vs 8%, p<0.0001), agoraphobia (58% vs 12%, p=0.002) and reassurance orientation (56% vs 8%, p=0.001) than controls. Discussion: BED frequently co-occurs with other major psychiatric disorders, traditionally assessed using categorical methods of classification of mental disorders. The spectrum of the subthreshold, atypical and partial symptoms of full-blown mental disorders, often neglected by categorical approach, may also affect subjective well-being and functioning as full-blown disorders. The identification of the subthreshold symptomatology may have relevant implications for the response to treatment and the outcome of the eating disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    R. Zoccali, A. Bruno, M. R. A. Muscatello, D. La Torre, A. Paterniti, A. E. Di Rosa & M. Meduri

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    F. Corica & M. C. Damiano

Authors
  1. R. Zoccali
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  2. A. Bruno
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  3. M. R. A. Muscatello
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  4. D. La Torre
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  5. A. Paterniti
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  6. F. Corica
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  7. M. C. Damiano
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  8. A. E. Di Rosa
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  9. M. Meduri
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Correspondence to R. Zoccali.

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Zoccali, R., Bruno, A., Muscatello, M.R.A. et al. Panic-agoraphobic spectrum in obese binge eaters. Eat Weight Disord 9, 264–268 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325080

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