Toronto alexithymia scale for patients with eating disorder: Of performance using the non-parametric item response theory

摘要: Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the performance Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in patients with eating disorders. As a secondary objective, we analyzed subset items order determine whether total score is good tool for classifying these and are ordered according difficulty choosing particular answer depending on severity patient's condition. Subjects Methods We administered TAS-20 103 consecutive who met DSM-IV-R criteria anorexia nervosa, bulimia or disorders not otherwise specified. Mokken scale analysis, nonparametric item response theory (NIRT), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used test psychometric properties scale. To improve our understanding structure underlying TAS-20, an automated selection procedure based Results identified 13 independent clinically interpretable that potentially sufficient rate alexithymia. This considered unidimensional reduction TAS-20. However, composed needs be validated. Thirteen 20 maximally related alexithymia because they have one-dimensional structure. NIRT CFA enabled us identify maximal conform requirements measurement