title: Subtypes in bulimia nervosa: the role of eating disorder symptomatology, negative affect, and interpersonal functioning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to investigate whether patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) could be subdivided into clinically meaningful groups reflecting the complex patterns of eating disorder symptoms and personality characteristics that face the clinician.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients diagnosed with BN using the Eating Disorder Examination were assessed with measures of negative affect, attachment patterns, and interpersonal problems. An exploratory hierarchical cluster analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found two main subtypes differing primarily in terms of symptom severity and level of negative affect, but these subtypes were further subdivided into four clinically relevant subtypes: A dietary restraint/negative affect/high symptomatic group, an emotionally overcontrolled group, a low dietary restraint/emotionally underregulated group, and a high functioning/securely attached group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that cluster-analytic studies, including a broad range of instruments measuring eating disorder symptoms as well as negative affect, relational patterns, and other personality characteristics, may contribute to an integration of previously suggested models of subtypes in BN.
authors.affiliation: University of Copenhagen, 2A Oester Farimagsgade, Copenhagen K, Denmark. Susanne.lunn@psy.ku.dk
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lunn
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Sarah I F
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D011594:Psychometrics; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult