Comorbidity of bulimia nervosa and alcohol use disorders: results from the National Women's Study.
OBJECTIVE
The nature of the relationship between bulimia nervosa (BN) and alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence (AA/AD) and the extent to which women with BN+AA differ from women with BN-AA were examined in a national sample of women (N = 3,006).


METHODS
The sample of was generated by multistage geographic sampling and interviews were conducted by telephone.


RESULTS
AA was higher in women with BN compared to women without BN or binge eating disorder, only when the influence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was controlled. Prevalence rates of AA and AD were similar in women with BN, MDD, and PTSD. Analyses indicated that the relationship between BN and AA/AD may be indirect and influenced by associations with MDD and PTSD. Women with BN+AA did not differ from those with BN-AA on most variables concerning victimization, family of origin, and disordered eating.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of MDD and PTSD in women presenting for treatment of BN and/or alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is recommended.
Dansky
B S
BS
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Brewerton
T D
TD
Kilpatrick
D G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology