Validation of the Nine Item AvoidantRestrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Screen within a Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinical Setting

Abstract

ARFID is a relatively new psychiatric diagnosis having been introduced in the DSM-5 in 2013. As ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis, there is little research on the etiology, prevalence, outcomes, assessments, and treatments. Of the assessments available, the NIAS is currently the only free, easily accessible, and brief self-report measure of symptoms available. The validity of the NIAS has only been assessed in adult and special populations until recently when the only peer-reviewed validation of the NIAS with a pediatric population was published. This research aimed to validate the NIAS in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic using child self-report. Using a retrospective chart review, 41 participants between the ages of 8 and 17 years old were identified. Participants were split between two groups, those with ARFID and those without. A ROC curve analysis was conducted to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the NIAS. The results of the ROC curve analysis indicate that the NIAS correctly identified ARFID in the patient population beyond chance when they presented with the Picky eating subtype, but not overall.