Affective temperament in the eating disorders

Background: In this study, we investigate the affective temperamental characteristics in a sample of ED (eating disorder) patients. Methods: 49 ED patients diagnosed by the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV), were divided into two groups on the' basis of the presence or absence of Binge Eating (restricting-anorexia nervosa [R-AN]= 16; Binge Eaters= 33). All patients were administered the TEMPS-I (Temperament Evaluation Memphis Pisa Semistructured - Interview), to assess affective temperament. A third group of i controls (N= 1010), derived from a study with the TEMPS-I on normal subjects, was included for comparison. Results: A full affective temperament was not found in patients of the restricting group. By contrast 24% of the binge eating group had a full affective temperament of one of three types. Comparing the three temperaments for the three groups, only cyclothymic temperament proved to be significant, with higher levels in the binge eating group (p