Temperament and character of Japanese eating disorder patients

Previous studies consistently reported a link between bulimic behaviors and high Novelty Seeking (NS), as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). However, it remains unclear whether this relationship is universal and occurs in different environments. Subjects of the present study consisted of 66 patients with anorexia nervosa restricting type (AN-R), 59 patients with anorexia nervosa binge eating/ purging type (AN-BP), 101 patients with bulimia nervosa purging type (BN), and 75 controls. NS score in AN-R patients was significantly lower than that in controls, although NS in BN patients did not differ from that in controls. The temperament of AN-R patients seems to be universal, even in different environments. Conversely, something other than temperament might be important in the development of bulimia nervosa in Japan.