Is major depressive disorder or dysthymia more strongly associated with bulimia nervosa?
OBJECTIVE
Research on adult samples has found that the comorbidity between depression and eating disorders exceeds the comorbidity of any other Axis I disorder and eating disorders. Few studies have investigated the specific associations of major depression versus dysthymia with eating disorders.


METHODS
This sample consisted of 937 adolescents who were repeatedly assessed until the age of 24.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed that dysthymia was a stronger correlate with bulimia than major depression, even while controlling for other mood disorders and a history of depression and dysthymia.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of dysthymia in adolescence might be a possible risk factor for the development of bulimia nervosa.
Perez
Marisol
M
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1270, USA.
Joiner
Thomas E
TE
Lewinsohn
Peter M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires