Binge frequency predicts outcome in guided self-care treatment of bulimia nervosa<FN>Parts of the paper were presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders—New Developments in Treatment and Research, The Hague, The Netherlands, 22 November 1998. </FN>

Objective In a study comparing eight sessions of fortnightly guided self-change (GSC) with 16 sessions of weekly cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in bulimia nervosa (BN) we examined pre-treatment predictors of outcome. Method Stepwise regression analyses were performed. Results In the GSC group, a lower pre-treatment binge frequency predicted better outcome at the end of treatment and at follow-up. In the CBT group, previous psychiatric disorder, absence of baseline depression and comorbidity predicted better outcome at the end of therapy and there was a trend for depression at baseline to predict a worse outcome at follow-up. Conclusion Those with more frequent bingeing may require a more intensive intervention than guided self-care. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]