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Christopher G. Fairburn, DM, FRCPsych; Patricia A. Norman, BA; Sarah L. Welch, DPhil, MRCPsych; Marianne E. O'Connor, BA; Helen A. Doll, MSc; Robert C. Peveler, DPhil, MRCPsych

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1995;52(4):304-312.

Abstract
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 pro-portion 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.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford (England), Warneford Hospital.

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