Obsessive-compulsive characteristics in women who have recovered from bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to follow up on reports that obsessive-compulsive characteristics, which are commonly elevated in bulimia nervosa (BN), may also be elevated in individuals who have recovered from BN (BN-R).


METHODS
Self-ratings on the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Restraint Scale (a measure of dieting behavior related to weight concerns), and questionnaires reflecting eating disorder-related symptoms were evaluated for women who met criteria for BN (n = 25) or BN-R (n = 21) and were free of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and for healthy female controls (n = 28).


RESULTS
MOCI scores for the BN-R group (5.5 +/- 5.4) were similar to those for the BN group (5.4 +/- 4.4) and were significantly elevated (p < 0.05, p < 0.02, respectively) in comparison to controls (2.5 +/- 1.9). Of note, MOCI scores for the BN-R group were significantly correlated with scores on the Restraint Scale (r = 0.60, p < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are needed to assess the relationship between elevated obsessive-compulsive characteristics and eating patterns in individuals recovered from BN.
Morgan
Jessica C
JC
Division of Child Psychiatry, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
Wolfe
Barbara E
BE
Metzger
Eran D
ED
Jimerson
David C
DC
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence