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Concurrent validity of the Disordered Eating Questionnaire (DEQ) with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) clinical interview in clinical and non clinical samples

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concurrent validity, specificity and sensitivity of the Disordered Eating Questionnaire (DEQ). The DEQ is a brief questionnaire (24 items), that can be used for epidemiological screenings. It addresses face valid questions to evaluate frequency and intensity of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors over a time frame of three months. DESIGN: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. METHODS: The DEQ was completed by 190 eating disordered patients (73 patients with Anorexia, 48 with Bulimia, 11 with Binge Eating Disorder, 48 with Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified, 10 recovered patients) and 88 healthy controls. RESULTS: In the whole group, DEQ scores were highly correlated with the scores of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE 12.0D). Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. In the female subsample, the ROC curves indicate that a cut-off score of 30 allows to obtain a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 68%. A formative approach of Structural Equationing Model confirm the construct validity of the instrument. CONCLUSIONS: The DEQ confirm to be a valid and reliable instrument, whose sensitivity and specificity is comparable to that of the EAT-40 even though it has fewer items.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via dei Marsi 78, o[00185, Roma, Italy

    C. Lombardo, L. Mallia & C. Violani

  2. Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    M. Cuzzolaro

  3. Department of Philosophical Research, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    G. Vetrone

Authors
  1. C. Lombardo
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  2. M. Cuzzolaro
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  3. G. Vetrone
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  4. L. Mallia
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  5. C. Violani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Lombardo.

Additional information

Giuseppe Vetrone took part to the study but unfortunately he died before the publication of the results.We are grateful for his work. He was a conscientious researcher and a good friend.

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Lombardo, C., Cuzzolaro, M., Vetrone, G. et al. Concurrent validity of the Disordered Eating Questionnaire (DEQ) with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) clinical interview in clinical and non clinical samples. Eat Weight Disord 16, e188–e198 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325131

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325131

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