Comorbidity and high-risk behaviors in treatment-seeking adolescents with bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this brief report is to describe the comorbid diagnoses and high-risk behaviors in a sample of adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN).

METHOD: Eighty adolescents enrolled in a RCT for BN that compared family-based therapy with individual-supportive psychotherapy completed the Eating Disorder Examination and the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School Age Children (K-SADS).

RESULTS: A total of 62.5% of the sample had a comorbid diagnosis as determined by the K-SADS. The majority of these presented with a major mood disorder. In addition, 25% of the sample had previously attempted suicide or self-harmed, 65.8% had consumed alcohol, and 30% had used illegal drugs. Suicidal behavior, drug use, and presence of a comorbid diagnosis were not related to diagnosis (full BN vs. subthreshold BN) or age.

CONCLUSION: Comorbidity and high-risk health behaviors in adolescents with BN mirror those of adults with BN although not at similar rates.