Frecuencia de bulimia y anorexia nerviosa en estudiantes del internado rotativo de medicina cohorte mayo 2024 - abril de 2025 de la Universidad de Cuenca. Cuenca, Azuay

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs), primarily bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, are prevalent among health professionals in training, with a prevalence of 48.8%, exacerbated by academic stress and socioenvironmental factors. Objective: To determine the frequency of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa among medical interns in the May 2024-April 2025 cohort at the University of Cuenca. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 medical interns in the May 2024-April 2025 cohort at the University of Cuenca. A data collection form was used to gather sociodemographic data, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and the Edinburgh Bulimia Test. Data were stored in an SPSS-V25 digital database and analyzed using appropriate statistics. Results: The predominant age group was 22-24 years. 55.6% of participants were female. Of all participants, 15.6% presented with bulimia nervosa and 62.2% showed signs of possible bulimia nervosa. One participant was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. EDs were found to be more common in women than in men, primarily in those under 24 years of age. Conclusions: Among medical interns at the University of Cuenca, there are significantly high rates of signs of possible bulimia, as well as cases of bulimia nervosa and one case of anorexia nervosa, which warrant further investigation and the implementation of prevention, follow-up, and psychological and psychiatric support programs.