Prevalence of personality disorders in patients with eating disorders: a pilot study using the IPDE

Abstract Objective The present study aims to determine the comorbidity of personality disorders (PD) with anorexia and bulimia nervosa, and to establish the major personality characteristics of eating disorders subtypes. Method Using the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE), the study investigated the personality profiles of 66 outpatients with eating disorders. Statistical analyses were carried out using non‐parametric methods such as the Kruskal‐Wallis H test and Mann‐Whitney U. Results 51.5% of the overall sample met criteria for at least one personality disorder. Purging anorexia nervosa patients were the most affected. The most common personality disorders were obsessive‐compulsive, avoidant, dependent, borderline and not otherwise specified. Discussion More than half of the subjects with AN and BN met the criteria for at least one PD. This finding is a challenge for clinical practice. Implications for further research in this area are commented on. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.