A case-control study to assess the impact of childhood sexual abuse on eating disorders

Authors

  • Felipe Paraventi Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Departamento de Psiquiatria
  • Angélica de Medeiros Claudino Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Departamento de Psiquiatria
  • Christina Marcondes Morgan Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Departamento de Psiquiatria
  • Jair de Jesus Mari Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Departamento de Psiquiatria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000600002

Keywords:

Sexual abuse, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, case-control

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate if exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is related with eating disorders in adult life. METHODS: A case-control study was performed comparing women with diagnoses of eating disorders - from PROATA (acronym in Portuguese meaning Eating Disorders Program) of Federal University of São Paulo - and non-psychiatric clinic patients as control group at Ophthalmology Centre. RESULTS: The prevalence of CSA for binge-eating disorder was 43.7%, whilst in the control group it was 27.3% (OR = 2.1; CI 95% = 0.5- 8.1). The prevalence of CSA for bulimia nervosa was 26.7% and, 27% in control group (OR = 0.99; CI 95% = 0.24-4.1). The prevalence of CSA in anorexia nervosa was 50%, whilst in control group it was 14.8% (OR = 5.8; CI 95% = 1.3- 25.6; p < 0.05). Taking into account only the history of two or more CSA episodes, those patients with anorexia nervosa had 35.7% CSA prevalence, and 3.7% in control group (OR = 14.4; CI 95% = 1.5-140.8; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has shown a strong association between anorexia nervosa and childhood sexual abuse.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 6 (2011)

Section

Original Articles

License

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Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

A case-control study to assess the impact of childhood sexual abuse on eating disorders . (2011). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 38(6), 222-226. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000600002