Examining depression scores as predictors and moderators of treatment outcomes in patients with binge‐eating disorder.

Objective: A substantial proportion of patients with binge‐eating disorder (BED) do not derive sufficient benefits from available evidence‐based psychological interventions. We examined depression scores as predictors and moderators of response to cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral weight‐loss (BWL) for BED. We explored associations between changes in depression scores and changes in treatment outcomes. Method: Ninety adults with BED with obesity were randomized to CBT or BWL (6 months) and were evaluated independently throughout treatment, at posttreatment, and 12‐month follow‐up after treatments (18 months post‐randomization). Pre‐treatment depression scores, early changes in depression, and changes in depression from pre‐ to post‐treatment were tested as predictors/moderators of outcomes (binge‐eating frequency and eating‐disorder psychopathology). Results: Baseline depression scores did not predict nor moderate outcomes at post‐treatment or 12‐month follow‐up. Changes in depression scores (both early and throughout treatment) were not associated significantly with changes in binge‐eating frequency or eating‐disorder psychopathology at post‐treatment or 12‐month follow‐up. Discussion: Findings suggest depression scores do not predict nor moderate acute‐ or longer‐term outcomes in patients with BED receiving CBT or BWL. Findings reinforce need to improve treatments for BED overall, although they provide confidence that patients with elevated depression scores derive benefits from existing CBT and BWL interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]