[Bulimia with and without a history of anorexia--variants or entities?]

A group of bulimic women (n = 70) with (n = 23) and without (n = 47) a history of anorexia nervosa has been assessed concerning symptomatology, complaints and personality factors. Demographic variables were controlled for bias. As we had supposed, there was no difference for most of the variables analyzed. Some of the residual differences could be due to item formulation ("Oral Control"; EAT) or express the slight persisting underweight ("weight", "underweight") of the former anorexics. Nevertheless, this group unexpectedly seems to feel not equally disturbed concerning "Ineffectivity" (EDI), "Anancasm" (ANIS) and some personality factors ("Social Orientation", "Aggression", "Sorrows concerning health", "Neuroticism"; FPI-R). The similarity is even more impressive if the scores are seen in relation to population norms (Graph.). On demographic variables except weight both groups seem to be strikingly similar. The relative weight (or "underweight"), which was considered as a possible covariate, did not contribute significantly to most of the dimensions, so that the actual body shape cannot be viewed as significantly influencing personality and eating related factors. From the data analyzed we conclude that there are no reasons to consider bulimia with and without a former anorexia as distinct disorders.