Predictors of remission from body dysmorphic disorder: a prospective study

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2005 Aug;193(8):564-7. doi: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000172681.51661.54.

Abstract

In the first naturalistic, prospective study of the course of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), we examined predictors of remission in 161 subjects over 1 year of follow-up. Data were obtained on clinical characteristics at the intake interview and weekly BDD symptom severity over 1 year using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation. More severe BDD at intake, longer BDD duration, and the presence of a comorbid personality disorder predicted a lower likelihood of partial or full remission from BDD. BDD remission was not predicted by gender; race/ethnicity; socioeconomic status; being an adult versus an adolescent; age of BDD onset; delusionality of BDD symptoms; or the presence at intake of major depression, a substance use disorder, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, or an eating disorder. Receipt of mental health treatment or nonmental health treatment (e.g., surgery, dermatologic treatment) during the follow-up year also did not predict remission from BDD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychotherapy
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Somatoform Disorders / epidemiology
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs