Axis II comorbidity of normal-weight bulimia

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Bulimia nervosa is frequently comorbid with other psychiatric conditions.
• Axis II personality disorders are a significant concern in individuals with eating disorders.
• Understanding the comorbidity of personality disorders in bulimia is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of Axis II comorbidity in women with active bulimia, remitted bulimia, and a history of major depression.
• To compare the rates of personality disorders between these diagnostic groups.

Main Methods:

• A blind assessment of Axis II comorbidity was conducted using the Diagnostic Interview for Personality Disorders (DIPD).
• The study included 34 women with active bulimia, 18 with remitted bulimia, and 20 with a history of major depression.
• The DIPD is a semistructured interview with demonstrated reliability for diagnosing personality disorders.

Main Results:

• Fifty percent of active bulimic subjects met criteria for at least one Axis II disorder.
• Forty-four percent of remitted bulimic subjects met criteria for at least one Axis II disorder.
• Thirty-five percent of depressed controls met criteria for at least one Axis II disorder; however, between-group differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Both active and remitted bulimia groups exhibited high rates of Axis II pathology.
• The prevalence of Axis II disorders in bulimic groups was generally higher than in the depressed control group, though not significantly.
• These findings underscore the importance of screening for and addressing personality disorders in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.