Disordered eating in elderly female patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia

Background: Data about the association between disordered eating and schizophrenia is limited and inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to evaluate disordered eating in elderly female patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT- 26) was completed by 30 female inpatients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia (mean age 70 +/- 6.5 years), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) were completed by their treating psychiatrists. The height and weight of the patients were also recorded. Results: Four patients (13.3%) had pathological scores on the EAT. These patients had lower body mass index scores and longer duration of hospitalization compared with the other patients. Their eating-related disturbance was anorectic-like in nature. There were no between group differences in the GDS, whereas the schizophrenic illness of the four patients with pathological EAT, as rated with the PANSS, appeared somewhat more active. Conclusions: Disordered eating of an anorectic -restrictive nature - not related to depression or negative schizophrenic symptornatology - may be found in a relatively high percentage of elderly female inpatients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia.