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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
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Specific Learning Disorders and Eating Disorders: an Italian retrospective study
Salvatore Ferdinando Aruta1,2, Jacopo Pruccoli1,2, Nicole Bandini2
1IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Centro Regionale per i Disturbi della Nutrizione e dell'Alimentazione in Età Evolutiva, UO di Neuropsichiatria dell'Età Pediatrica, Bologna, Italy.
Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|June 14, 2022
Summary
This study found a higher prevalence of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in patients with Eating Disorders (ED) compared to the general population. These findings suggest that neurodevelopmental deficits may be a risk factor for developing ED.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Eating Disorders (ED) are associated with cognitive dysfunction, but the link with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) is unclear.
- Cognitive deficits may precede and increase the risk for ED, rather than being solely a consequence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with ED.
- To compare SLD prevalence in ED patients with national reference values in Italy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 262 patients treated at an Italian ED outpatient service.
- Comparison of observed SLD prevalence against Italian Ministry of Education data.
Main Results:
- A comorbid diagnosis of SLD was found in 9.54% of ED patients, significantly higher than the Italian reference value of 4.9%.
- SLD comorbidity was more frequent in males and not associated with specific ED diagnoses or general psychiatric comorbidity.
Conclusions:
- This is the first Italian study on SLD prevalence in pediatric and adolescent ED patients.
- The findings support the hypothesis that neuropsychological deficits can contribute to the development of ED.
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