Reliability of the original and brief versions of the Eating Disorder Examination in binge-eating disorder

Psychometric studies evaluating the reliability of eating-disorder assessment among individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED) have been limited. The current study documents the interrater reliability and internal consistency of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview when administered to adults with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5)-defined BED.

Participants (N = 56) were adults seeking treatment for BED in the context of clinical trials testing pharmacological and psychological treatments. Doctoral-level, trained, and supervised clinical researchers evaluated eating-disorder psychopathology using the EDE interview and audio-recorded the interview. A second doctoral-level, trained, and supervised clinical researcher, who did not conduct the initial assessment, coded eating-disorder psychopathology using the audio recording.

Agreement among raters on the number of binge-eating episodes was near perfect. There was excellent interrater reliability for nearly all scales of the EDE interview. Agreement among raters for behavioral indicators of loss of control and marked distress regarding binge eating ranged from moderate to perfect. Internal consistency was variable for all scales, ranging from unacceptable to good.

Our study suggests that the EDE can be administered reliably by multiple interviewers to assess adults with BED. However, internal consistency was mostly subpar. Tests of reliability and other psychometric properties (e.g., validity) in other patient groups such as children with BED are warranted.