[Differential study of the complete and subclinical presentations of bulimia nervosa]

We examined the subtyping criteria for bulimia nervosa by comparing atypical and full-blown syndrome patients.

Sixty-one bulimic patients were compared on a number of demographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables. Thirty-nine patients met definite DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa and twenty-two had a subclinical form of this disorder.

Although patients with less severe eating disorder experienced substantial distress and impairment, the study revealed some interesting clinical differences between the two groups.

Subclinical bulimia nervosa may be more common in young women than now believed, and seems to be associated with persistent body image dissatisfaction, higher weight, non-purgative methods for controlling weight gain, and lower associated psychopathology.