High prevalence of eating disorders not otherwise specified in northwestern Spain: population-based study

To determine the incidence and prevalence of eating disorder and its clinical forms.

All new ED cases of both genders, ≥15 years old, diagnosed from January 2005 to December 2009 were included. All patients
who suffered from ED in December 2009 were included in the prevalence study. This is a prospective, population-based study.
Cumulative incidence rates and 20-year prevalence were calculated.

The ED incidence was 14.1 (95% CI 11.4–16.1) cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, for AN, BN and EDNOS 3.1 (95% CI 2.00–4.1),
4.4 (95% CI 3.0–8.00) and 6.5 (95% CI 4.8–7.9), respectively. The incidence of ED at the four age-intervals, 15–24, 25–34,
35–45 and >45 years, revealed that the 25–34-year interval had the highest incidence; moreover, new cases were observed even
in the >45-year interval. The prevalence of ED was 82.8 (95% CI 69.4–94.5) per 100,000 inhabitants, being for AN, BN and EDNOS
18.6 (95% CI 12.5–24.4), 25.7 (95% CI 18.5–32.5) and 38.3 (95% CI 29.4–46.5), respectively.

The incidence and prevalence of EDNOS are the highest in the ED cases; furthermore, new cases of ED are observed above the
age of 45, which are remarkable data.