A comparison of different methods of assessing the features of eating disorders in post-gastric bypass patients: a pilot study

Objective Two methods for assessing the features of eating disorders in post‐gastric bypass surgery patients were compared. Method A total of 45 participants were administered the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) Interview and completed the EDE‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q4). Results The EDE and the EDE‐Q4 were significantly correlated on the restraint, eating concern, weight concern and shape concern subscales. However, the mean difference in scores was significant for the restraint and eating concern subscales. The discrepancy between methods was largest for the restraint subscale. There was no agreement with regard to objective bulimic episodes and the agreement on subjective bulimic episodes was poor (kappa 0.276). However, the frequencies of subjective bulimic episodes were significantly correlated and did not differ significantly. Discussion The EDE‐Q4 seems suitable in assessing eating‐ related psychopathology (subscales) in post‐surgery patients. However, the questionnaire appears to have limited utility for assessing binge eating in this population. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.