Combined cognitive-behavioral, psychopharmacological and nutritional therapy in bulimia nervosa

Fifteen women with bulimia nervosa were treated with a 4-month course of combined cognitive-behavioral, nutritional and antidepressant therapy (5 with amineptine and 10 with fluvoxamine). Patients were monitored before and after 1, 2 and 4 months of therapy for body mass index (BMI), for eating disorder symptoms by the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and the Bulimic Investigation Test (BITE), and for depression and anxiety by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and for Anxiety (HRS-D and -A). BITE symptoms and gravity improved significantly and equally in the two groups during the 4 months of therapy. Global EDI scores, depression and anxiety decreased but not significantly. BMI was normal before therapy and did not change during treatment.