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Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the Spanish Population: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Study
Álvaro Loewen1, Hilario Blasco-Fontecilla1,2,3,4, Chao Li1
1Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
JMIR Formative Research
|January 4, 2024
Summary
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects 15.2% of the Spanish population, particularly young women and students. This condition is linked to poorer mental health and quality of life, independent of other diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by excessive preoccupation with perceived physical flaws.
- Global BDD prevalence is 0.5–3.2%, with a mean onset age of 16.9 years.
- BDD is associated with psychiatric disorders, dermatological procedures, and poorer mental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of BDD in Spain.
- To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with BDD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, descriptive study using an anonymous web-based survey.
- Targeted the Spanish population aged 18 and older.
- Collected data on sociodemographics, psychiatric/dermatological history, quality of life (SF-12v2), and BDD (BDD Questionnaire).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of BDD in Spain was 15.2% (322/2091).
- BDD was significantly associated with female gender, younger age (18-24), students, lower income (<€500), and psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety, depression, eating disorders).
- Participants with BDD reported more body parts of concern and a significantly poorer perception of mental health quality of life.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of BDD in Spain is higher than previously reported.
- BDD frequently co-occurs with depressive, anxiety, and eating disorders.
- BDD negatively impacts mental health quality of life, irrespective of a formal mental disorder diagnosis.
Keywords:
OCDSpainadultsanxietybody dysmorphic disordercomorbiditiesdepressionmental healthobsessive-compulsive disorderprevalenceMore Related Videos
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