Clinical Characteristics of Night Eating Syndrome in Outpatients with Bipolar Disorder

Jung, Haran; Yoon, Bo Hyun; Sea, Young Hwa; Song, Je Heon; Park, Suhee; Koo, Bonki; Kim, Kyung Min; Nam, Seok Hyun

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of night eating syndrome(NES) in bipolar disorder outpatients.
METHODS
The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 84 bipolar patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating & weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively.
RESULTS
The prevalence of night eating syndrome in bipolar outpatients was 14.3%(12 of 84). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, BMI and clinical status except economic status and comorbid medical illnesses. However, compared to non-NES, patients with NES was more likely to have binge eating pattern and poorer weight-related quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is to be the first to describe the clinical correlates of night eaters in bipolar outpatients. Although there were few significant correlates of NES in bipolar outpatients, relatively high prevalence of NES suggest that clinicians should be aware to assess the patients with bipolar disorder on NES, regardless of obesity status of patients.