Prior treatment received by patients with bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the frequency with which subjects with bulimia nervosa (BN) presenting for treatment or follow-up studies had previously received either adequate pharmacologic treatment or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

METHOD: Semistructured telephone screening of individuals who called in response to advertisements about research studies was used to establish diagnoses and to clarify prior pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments for BN.

RESULTS

Of 581 women responding, 353 (60.8%) had probable BN. Overall, 61.4% of these subjects had received psychotherapy (96.7%) but rarely CBT (6.9%). Over one half (63.7%) had received pharmacologic treatment, most commonly with fluoxetine (72.5%). Of those having received any medication treatment, 46.2% were judged to have received at least one adequate trial. Overall, 35.0% of those previously treated had received at least one prior course of adequate pharmacotherapy or CBT for BN.

CONCLUSION

Although efficacious treatments for BN have been established, they have not been received by most individuals presenting for further treatment.