Assessment of eating disorders in adults using questionnaires

Evaluation of Eating Difficulties Assessment Measures in Clinical Practice and in Epidemiological Surveys

Observational University of Leicester · NCT06103929

This study is testing if simple questionnaires can help identify eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia in adults as accurately as detailed interviews with specialists.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages16 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Leicester Academic / other
Locations1 site (Leicester)
Trial IDNCT06103929 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost self-completion questionnaires in predicting the results of detailed semi-structured interviews for diagnosing eating disorders. It focuses on common forms of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The study will involve adults referred to specialist eating disorder services, utilizing established diagnostic criteria as a reference standard. The methodology includes calculating sensitivity, specificity, and other statistical measures to assess the reliability of the questionnaires compared to clinician assessments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 16 years or older who have been referred to specialist eating disorder services.

Not a fit: Patients under 16 years old or those with a clinical diagnosis of intellectual disability may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance early detection and diagnosis of eating disorders, leading to timely and effective treatment for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using similar assessment tools for diagnosing eating disorders, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals aged 16 years or older (on the date of referral to specialist eating disorder services)
* Individuals referred to specialist adult eating disorder services during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under 16 years old and having not been referred to specialist eating disorder services.
* Patients with a clinical diagnosis of intellectual disability will be excluded on the basis that the SCAN is not intended for use in this patient group.
* Patients lacking capacity to consent to take part.
* Participants who lose capacity during their participation will be withdrawn from the study (with data collected up until the point of withdrawal being retained).
* Participants who are unable to understand written and verbal English.

Where this trial is running

Leicester

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Eating DisordersEating disordersAdult psychiatryEpidemiologyCalibrationPublic healthAnorexia nervosaBulimia nervosa
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.