Assessment of eating disorders: Interview versus questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the validity of the Eating Disorder Examination--Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in identifying eating disorder symptoms in female substance abusers. METHOD: Subjects were assessed for the presence of eating disorder behaviors and attitudes using the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), a semistructured interview, and the EDE-Q. The results of the two measures were then compared. RESULTS: Results showed that the EDE-Q does identify eating disorders in this population. It is more accurate in assessing purging than the more complex features of binge eating and dietary restraint. DISCUSSION: Eating disorders and substance abuse co-occur at a higher rate than expected by chance, and recent findings indicate that eating disorders often go undetected among patients with substance abuse. The EDE-Q appears to be an effective screening instrument for detecting the presence of eating disorder symptoms in this population.