The Impact of DSM-5 on Eating Disorder Diagnoses

ObjectiveEating disorder diagnostic criteria were revised from the fourth to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV and -5, respectively). This study examines the impact of these revisions on rates of eating disorder diagnoses in treatment-seeking youth. MethodParticipants were 651 youth, ages 7-18 years, presenting to an outpatient eating disorders program who met criteria for a DSM-IV eating disorder diagnosis on intake. Patients completed well-validated semi-structured interviews to assess eating disorder psychopathology and psychiatric comorbidity. ResultsParticipants were predominantly female (n=588; 90.3%) with an average age of 15.28 years (SD=2.21), mean percent of median Body Mass Index (mBMI) of 101.91 (SD=31.73), and average duration of illness of 16.74 months (SD=17.63). Cases of DSM-IV Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), now most consistent with DSM-5 Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, decreased from 47.6% to 39.0%, Anorexia Nervosa increased from 29.6% to 33.5%, and Bulimia Nervosa increased from 22.7% to 24.7%. DiscussionConsistent with previous studies, and in keeping with the aims of the DSM-5 for eating disorders, the revised diagnostic criteria reduced cases of DSM-IV EDNOS and increased cases of specified eating disorders. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:578-581)