Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the longer-term outcome of bulimia nervosa and the distal effects of treatment. METHODS: Prospective follow-up of subjects from two randomized controlled trials, involving a comparison of cognitive behavior therapy, behavior therapy, and focal interpersonal therapy. RESULTS: Ninety percent (89/99) underwent reassessment by interview (mean [+/- SD] length of follow-up, 5.8 +/- 2.0 years). Almost half (46%) had a DSM-IV eating disorder; 19%, bulimia nervosa; 3%, anorexia nervosa; and 24%, eating disorder not otherwise specified. There was a low rate of other psychiatric disorders. Premorbid and paternal obesity predicted a poor outcome. While the three treatments did not differ with respect to the proportion of subjects with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa at follow-up, they did differ once all forms of DSM-IV eating disorder were considered together. Those who had received cognitive behavior therapy or focal interpersonal therapy were doing markedly better than those who had received behavior therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The longer-term outcome of bulimia nervosa depends on the nature of the treatment received. Patients who receive a treatment such as behavior therapy, which only has a short-lived effect, tend to do badly, whereas those who receive treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy or focal interpersonal therapy have a better prognosis.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Arch Gen Psychiatry

Publication Date

04/1995

Volume

52

Pages

304 - 312

Keywords

Adult, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavior Therapy, Bulimia, Cognitive Therapy, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Status, Humans, Probability, Prospective Studies, Psychotherapy, Severity of Illness Index, Social Adjustment, Treatment Outcome