To compare eating disorder (ED) psychopathology, psychological distress, and functioning among adult patients with either suspected or confirmed diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, both (AuDHD), or neither.
Key Findings:
2.6% of patients were classified as AuDHD, 3.5% as Autistic-only, and 6.5% as ADHD-only, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
EDE-Q scores were highest in the ADHD-only group and lowest in the Neither group, indicating varying levels of psychopathology.
CORE10 and WSAS scores were highest in AuDHD and lowest in Neither, suggesting significant functional impairments.
Interpretation:
Patients with Autism and/or ADHD exhibited greater psychological distress and poorer functioning, particularly when both conditions were present, underscoring the necessity for tailored treatment approaches.
Limitations:
Small sample size for AuDHD group.
No formal hypotheses were pre-specified.
Potential biases in self-reported diagnoses may affect the findings.
Conclusion:
Screening for neurodivergence in ED services may enhance person-centered care and improve treatment outcomes.
