Multi-impulsivity among bulimic patients in Japan

Objective: Studies in Western world patients suggest the possible existence of a subgroup of patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) who display multiple p roblems with impulsivity, such as suicidal attempts. We assessed impulsive behaviors among BN patients in japan to discuss them crossculturally. Metho d: Impulsive behaviors in 64 BN patients were assessed and multi-impulsivit y (MI) was defined according to the definition proposed by Fichter, Quadfli eg, and Rief (Psychological Medicine, 24, 591-604, 1994). Results: Nineteen patients (30%) met the definition of MI. BN patients with MI had more seve re clinical features, such as concurrent depressive and anxious symptoms, g lobal functioning, and higher prevalence of borderline personality disorder than BN patients without MI. Discussion: These results showed the similari ties between BN patients with MI in japan and those patients in the Western world in clinical and psychopathological characteristics and a lifetime in cidence of each impulsive behavior. These findings may suggest culturally f ree bases for linkage between BN and MI. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc .