title: Predictors of outcome for two treatments for bulimia nervosa: short and long-term.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined pretreatment variables to predict outcome in two treatments for bulimia nervosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were offered either 16 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a self-treatment manual followed by up to 8 weeks of CBT (sequential group). Using complete data, stepwise regression analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that a longer duration of illness and lower binge frequency predicted a better outcome both at the end of treatment (p < .001) and at 18 months of follow-up (p < .005). In the sequential group, lower pretreatment binge frequency predicted better outcome at the end of treatment (p < .05) and at 18 months of follow-up (p < .05). In the CBT group, longer duration of illness predicted better outcome at the end of treatment (p < .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that (1) those with more frequent binging may require a more intense intervention and (2) those who have been ill longer may be more motivated to respond to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorder Research Group, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Troop
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Treasure
mesh_terms: D002032:Bulimia / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012044:Regression Analysis