[Longer-term outcome of CBT for eating disorders in a naturalistic setting]

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with eating disorders has been shown in several naturalistic studies. In contrast studies showing longer-term effects in naturalistic outpatient treatment are still lacking. Therefore 99 female patients with the primary DSM-IV diagnosis of an eating disorder were considered in this analysis. Longer-term duration outcome data exist for 53,5% (n=53). EDE-Q, BDI and BSI were used as outcome measures and were given to patients at the beginning, the end and 18 month after the end of treatment. The effect sizes remained fairly steady throughout follow-up. Also the response rates remained the same on average (63,6%), whereupon 25% lost their status of response and 22,7% showed spontaneous remission during long-term evaluation. Although the average longer-term effect sizes of CBT in an outpatient routine health-care service were maintained throughout follow-up, one fourth of the females developed symptomatology again.