Predictors of treatment utilization among women with anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Am J Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;159(1):140-2. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.1.140.

Abstract

Objective: The authors sought predictors of treatment utilization among women with eating disorders.

Method: Women diagnosed with either anorexia or bulimia nervosa (N=246) completed prospective evaluations of eating disorder status, comorbid disorders, global assessment of functioning, and treatment utilization.

Results: Women with anorexia nervosa received significantly more inpatient treatment than did women with bulimia nervosa. Predictors of treatment utilization included lower global assessment of functioning scores and presence of personality disorders.

Conclusions: Women with more severe pathology have higher treatment utilization rates. This pattern may explain the seeming lack of treatment efficacy for eating disorders outside of randomized controlled studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa / epidemiology*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Anorexia Nervosa / therapy
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Boston
  • Bulimia / epidemiology*
  • Bulimia / psychology
  • Bulimia / therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Disorders / therapy
  • Psychotherapy / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychotherapy, Group / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Utilization Review

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents