Does the opinion of the therapeutic team match with psychometric measures during the course of eating disorders?

Abstract

Is there a group of psychometric variables, which correlates with the criteria of an interdisciplinary team about the course of ED? The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between the clinic criteria of an interdisciplinary team with respect to the course of eating disorders (ED) and different psychometric criteria. The course was analysed in a final sample of 30 ED outpatients during their six first months of treatment. A scale of clinical criteria of the course of ED (therapeutic team's opinion) and different questionnaires on psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables were used. The statistical analysis comprised of a discriminant analysis in order to find the variables with a discriminant function to distinguish between a fair-bad course and a good course. Perceived stress, self-esteem, the variables of the SCL-90-R, depression, thought-shape fusion, anxiety, food craving and the score on body shape questionnaire were found to have discriminant function. Comparing the therapeutic team's criteria and the results of the questionnaires a 10% of patients were misclassified. The results highlight the necessary and permanent checking of the relationship among the clinical criteria regarding the course of ED (members' team opinion) and different psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables.