Prediction of outcome in bulimia nervosa by early change in treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The authors' goal was to identify predictors of treatment response in bulimia nervosa and, in particular, to attempt to replicate and extend the observation that early change predicts outcome.


METHODS
Predictors of response at the end of treatment and 8-month follow-up were sought from a group of 220 women treated with either cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy.


RESULTS
Early change in frequency of purging was the best predictor of response at the end of treatment and at 8-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Early change in treatment is a robust and potent predictor of immediate and longer-term outcome in bulimia nervosa.
Fairburn
Christopher G
CG
Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, U.K.
Agras
W Stewart
WS
Walsh
B Timothy
BT
Wilson
G Terence
GT
Stice
Eric
E
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control