Prognostic Factors in Bulimia Nervosa

Shin, Yoon Shik; Kim, Jun Ki; Bae, Jae Hyun; Kim, Chan Hyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Over the last few years there has been growing concern about bulimia nervosa in Korea, but there was only a few clinical study, especially about outcome and predictors. CBT combined with pharmacotherapy has been recognized as the most effective short-term treatment modality, but there was nonresponders. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence treatment response and outcome in patients with bulimia nervosa. The identification of prognostic factors in bulimia nervosa will help clinicians to deliver the most appropriate type of initial treatment to patients. METHOD: The subjects were 62 patients from the outpatients of Mind & Mind psychiatric clinic, who had been previously evaluated by EDI-2 and MMPI. The sociodemographic data, disease progress, past history, family history, BMI, EDI-2 and MMPI were variables assessed. All patients received a 12-week course of CBT combined with pharmacotherapy (fluoxetine 20-60mg/d). Responders and non-responders group ware compared with each variables. Responders were defined as patients who had maximum symptom frequencies of three or less during the last 4 weeks of treatment. RESULT: Among 62 patients, responders were 32 and non-responders were 30. There was no difference in sociodemographic variables such as age, education level, job, marriage. As a result of comparing the two groups, non-responders were differentiated by their higher frequency of binge eating vomiting, history of suicide attempt, family history of psychiatric illness and use of laxatives or diuretics. And among the subscale of EDI-2, there were significant high scores in bulimia, ineffectiveness, interoceptive awareness.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that frequency of binge eating, vomiting, history of suicide attempt, family history of psychiatric illness, and use of laxatives or diuretics could be prognostic factors in patients with bulimia nervosa.