Impact of binge eating disorder on functional impairment and work productivity in an adult community sample in the United States

AIM: This study compared functioning and productivity in individuals meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM‐5) diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) to those without BED. METHODS: A sample of US adults from the National Health and Wellness Survey completed an Internet survey in October 2013. In addition to BED diagnostic criteria, the survey assessed functional impairment and productivity, respectively, using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. Differences between BED and non‐BED respondents were assessed using multivariate models controlling for factors, including age, sex and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of 22 397 respondents, 344 were categorised as BED respondents and 20 437 as non‐BED respondents. Compared with non‐BED respondents, BED respondents exhibited significantly (all P<.001) greater functional impairment on the SDS, as measured by mean±SD total (14.04±9.46 vs 3.41±6.36), work/school (3.86±3.62 vs 1.01±2.21), social life/leisure activities (5.29±3.49 vs 1.22±2.33) and family life/home responsibilities (4.89±3.44 vs 1.18±2.26) scores. Adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) indicated that BED respondents were more impaired than non‐BED respondents on the work/school (4.24 [3.33–5.40]), social life/leisure activities (6.37 [4.97–8.15]) and family life/home responsibilities (5.76 [4.51–7.34]) domains of the SDS. On the WPAI, BED respondents reported significantly (all P<.001) higher percentages (mean±SD) of absenteeism (9.59%±19.97% vs 2.90%±12.95%), presenteeism (30.00%±31.64% vs 10.86%±20.07%), work productivity loss (33.19%±33.85% vs 12.60%±23.22%) and activity impairment (43.52%±34.36% vs 19.94%±27.22%) than non‐BED respondents. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest individuals with BED experience considerable impairment in functioning and work productivity compared with individuals without BED.