title: [Differential study of the complete and subclinical presentations of bulimia nervosa].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the subtyping criteria for bulimia nervosa by comparing atypical and full-blown syndrome patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one bulimic patients were compared on a number of demographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables. Thirty-nine patients met definite DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa and twenty-two had a subclinical form of this disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although patients with less severe eating disorder experienced substantial distress and impairment, the study revealed some interesting clinical differences between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subclinical bulimia nervosa may be more common in young women than now believed, and seems to be associated with persistent body image dissatisfaction, higher weight, non-purgative methods for controlling weight gain, and lower associated psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Psiquiatría, Facultad de Medicina de la UEx, Badajoz, 06071, España. fjvaz@unex.es
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Vaz Leal
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Peñas Lledó
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index