Prevalence of binge eating disorder among patients with myocardial infarction

Objective: This study has been aimed at investigating the prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) among patients with MI and the relationship between eating attitudes and myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: One hundred and thirteen consecutive patients with MI were enrolled into the study. 100 age-sex-matched healthy individuals were enrolled as a control group. Participants were given sociodemographic data form and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and then were investigated for a diagnosis of lifetime BED through a semi-structured clinical interview. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight /height2 (kg/m2 ).

Results: Mean EAT scores in the MI and control groups were 22.6±6 and 18.2±8.2, respectively. Patients with MI had statistically significantly higher scores of EAT than those in the control group. Semi-structured clinical interview determined that the lifetime prevalence of the BED was 13.3% (n=15) in the MI group and 2% (n=2) in the non-MI group. The lifetime prevalence of BED was significantly higher among participants in the MI group as compared to those in the control group. Point prevalence of the BED in the MI and control groups were 7.1% (n=8) and 1% (n=1), respectively. The point prevalence of BED was significantly higher among participants in the MI group as compared to those in the control group.

Conclusion: The present study showed that BED is a common and important issue among patients with MI. Further studies are needed to research the long term effects of BED on patients with MI and the possible effects of BED treatment on MI prognosis.