Abstract

RODRIGUEZ G, Maritza  and  GUERRERO, Stella. Frequency and Phenomenology of Self-Inflicted Injuries in Colombian Women with Eating Disorders. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2005, vol.34, n.3, pp.343-354. ISSN 0034-7450.

The frequency of self-inflicted injuries without suicidal intent as well as the variables associated with the risk of displaying this kind of conduct were assessed in 362 women with Anorexia Nervosa (n=130), Bulimia Nervosa (n=141) and Binge-eating disorder (n=91) attending an out-patient program in Bogotá, between June 1997 and January 2005. 82 of the women (22.6%) presented, besides the symptoms of anorexia or bulimia, skin burning or cutting, headbanging, mutilation of fingers or other body parts or several of these conducts simultaneously. 12 of the 82 women had Anorexia Nervosa restricting type and 17 had bingeeating/ purging type, 38 had Bulimia Nervosa and 17 had Binge-eating disorder. Self-injury was associated significantly with Posttraumautic Stress Disorder (PTSD), borderline personality, Bipolar Disorder (BD) with mixed episodes and previous suicide attempts. The risk of PTSD in patients with Eating Disorders (ED) and self-injury is twice of those without self-injury behaviors that comply with BD with mixed episodes, borderline personality and suicide attempts (OR = 2.04; IC 95%: 1.1-3,8). These findings emphasize the need of applying a systematic and standardized evaluation of self-injury in patients with ED and highlight the relevance of comorbid pathology, including dissociative, mood and impulse control symptoms. Patients with ED and self-injury seem to constitute a clinical subgroup of greater severity in need of a specific therapeutic approach.

Keywords : injury; eating disorders; comorbidity.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )