Is major depressive disorder or dysthymia more strongly associated with bulimia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE

Research on adult samples has found that the comorbidity between depression and eating disorders exceeds the comorbidity of any other Axis I disorder and eating disorders. Few studies have investigated the specific associations of major depression versus dysthymia with eating disorders.

METHOD: This sample consisted of 937 adolescents who were repeatedly assessed until the age of 24.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed that dysthymia was a stronger correlate with bulimia than major depression, even while controlling for other mood disorders and a history of depression and dysthymia.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of dysthymia in adolescence might be a possible risk factor for the development of bulimia nervosa.