Classification of eating disorders: comparison of relative prevalence rates using DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria

Abstract

SummaryDSM-5 contains substantial changes to eating disorder diagnoses. We examined relative prevalence rates of DSM-IV and DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses using Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire diagnostic algorithms in 117 community out-patients. DSM-5 criteria produced a reduction in combined ‘other specified feeding or eating disorder’ and ‘unspecified feeding or eating disorder’ diagnoses from 46% to 29%, an increase in anorexia nervosa diagnoses from 35% to 47%, the same number of bulimia nervosa diagnoses and a 5% rate of binge eating disorder diagnoses.