Prior treatment received by patients with bulimia nervosa

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the frequency with which subjects with bulimia nervosa (BN) presenting for treatment or follow-up studies had previously received either adequate pharmacologic treatment or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). METHOD: Semistructured telephone screening of individuals who called in response to advertisements about research studies was used to establish diagnoses and to clarify prior pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments for BN. RESULTS: Of 581 women responding, 353 (60.8%) had probable BN. Overall, 61.4% of these subjects had received psychotherapy (96.7%) but rarely CBT (6.9%). Over one half (63.7%) had received pharmacologic treatment, most commonly with fluoxetine (72.5%). Of those having received any medication treatment, 46.2% were judged to have received at least one adequate trial. Overall, 35.0% of those previously treated had received at least one prior course of adequate pharmacotherapy or CBT for BN. CONCLUSION: Although efficacious treatments for BN have been established, they have not been received by most individuals presenting for further treatment.