Anorexia nervosa and bulimia--a Singapore perspective.

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Method: Fifty patients presenting to our department from 1991-1996 were identified and studied retrospectively.

Results: There was an increase in presentations for anorexia and bulimia over the period studied. The majority exhibited body image disturbance, morbid fear of fatness and compulsive efforts to lose weight, not dissimilar to that described in the Western literature. Significant transcultural differences were not found. Those with significant binge eating were more likely to present at a later age, have a higher BMI, menorrhoea, associated vomiting and/or laxative use, have prominent depressive symptoms and a history of self-harm. Compared to anorexics, bulimics were more likely to have relationship stresses and a history of self-harm.

Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of anorexics and bulimics are more striking for their similarities rather than differences to that described in the West.