Prognostic factors in bulimia nervosa.

Factors predictive of outcome were sought from the data from a controlled study of the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Four different indices of outcome were used, and outcome was assessed at four points during a 12-month, treatment-free follow-up period. It was found that the pre-treatment level of self-esteem was a consistent predictor of outcome with those patients having low self-esteem responding least well to treatment. There were no other consistent predictors of outcome.