Review of literature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid eating disorders

OBJECTIVE: According to studies of prevalence, up to 70% of adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have at least one psychiatric comorbidity, which leads to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties as well as more severe functional impairment. There is a paucity of data on the comorbidity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder/eating disorders comorbidity, performing a critical analysis of relevant data. METHOD: Articles in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, ISI and PsycINFO databases from 1980 up to 2008, were searched. The references from the articles were used as additional sources of data. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were found: five prevalence studies, four case reports, three case-control studies, one symptom-assessment study of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, and one article regarding possible causes of the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. These articles suggested that adult women with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at higher risk of developing eating disorders, especially bulimia nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa rates found in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder groups ranged from 1% to 12%, versus 0% to 2% in control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although there seems to be a relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, the reduced number of studies available, with various methodologies, and small sample sizes limit the generalization of the findings.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Nazar,Bruno Palazzo, Pinna,Camilla Moreira de Sousa, Coutinho,Gabriel, Segenreich,Daniel, Duchesne,Monica, Appolinario,José Carlos, Mattos,Paulo
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria 2008
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-44462008000400014
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