Binge eating disorder, impulsivity and bipolar spectrum features in a sample of obese candidates for bariatric surgery

. Aims. Candidates for bariatric surgery are abnormal eating behaviors are considered common among these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and persistence, in terms of one month-to-lifetime prevalence ratio, of binge eating disorder (BED) and the potential association with impulsivity features and bipolar spectrum comorbidity in a sample of obese patients undergoing a psychiatric all, 80 candidates to bariatric surgery were assessed consecutively over 12 months within the framework of a collaboration between the University of Pisa Psychiatry and Internal Medicine Departments. Patients were evaluated through structured clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires. Results. The lifetime and last-month frequencies of BED according to DSM-5 criteria were 46.3% and 17.5%, respectively, polar disorder diagnoses were extremely low in patients with or without BED. However, patients with peutical implications.