Brief Report

Childhood gastrointestinal complaints in women with bulimia nervosa

  1. Kelly A. Gendall MBChB, PhD1,*,
  2. Peter R. Joyce MBChB, PhD1,
  3. Frances A. Carter PhD1,
  4. Virginia V. McIntosh BA1,
  5. Cynthia M. Bulik PhD2

Article first published online: 8 APR 2005

DOI: 10.1002/eat.20088

Issue

International Journal of Eating Disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders

Volume 37, Issue 3, pages 256–260, April 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gendall, K. A., Joyce, P. R., Carter, F. A., McIntosh, V. V. and Bulik, C. M. (2005), Childhood gastrointestinal complaints in women with bulimia nervosa. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 37: 256–260. doi: 10.1002/eat.20088

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

  2. 2

    Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

*Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 APR 2005
  2. Article first published online: 8 APR 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 APR 2004

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Keywords:

  • childhood;
  • gastrointestinal complications;
  • bulimia nervosa

Abstract

Objective

The current study describes childhood gastrointestinal (GI) complaints in adult women presenting for a treatment trial for bulimia nervosa (BN) and examines the correlates of BN symptomatology.

Method

The sample comprised 135 women with BN who underwent an assessment including questions regarding childhood GI complaints. Individuals were grouped into one of three categories: no GI complaints, GI complaints with/without constipation (GI complaints), and constipation only. Eating disorder psychopathology was compared across these groups.

Results

One third of participants reported GI complaints or constipation only in childhood. Women with GI complaints were younger, and had an earlier onset of BN and self-induced vomiting compared with women with no GI complaints. Trends existed for a younger age of first binge, and a higher frequency of binge eating in this group.

Discussion

These findings suggest that individuals with childhood GI complaints and other risk factors for BN may be at greater risk of developing a more severe eating disorder at an earlier age. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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