Short-term Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder: Long-term efficacy and predictors of long-term treatment success

• Short-term CBT is efficacious over a 4-year-follow-up period.
• Symptomatology improves during treatment but also during follow-up phase.
• Objective binge episodes at the end of treatment predict long-term treatment success.
• End of treatment weight- and eating concern predict long-term treatment success.

The present study evaluates the long-term efficacy (four years after treatment) of a short-term Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). We examined patient characteristics, mostly measured at the end of treatment, for their predictive value of long-term success. Forty-one BED-patients between 18 and 70 years took part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for a short-term treatment and were evaluated until 4 years after treatment. Assessments comprised structured interviews on comorbid mental disorder/eating disorder pathology and questionnaires on eating disorder pathology/general psychopathology. BED core symptoms and associated psychopathology improved substantially during treatment phase and further improved or at least remained stable during the follow-up period. End of treatment predictors for long term success were elevated weight and eating concern and higher frequency of objective binges. Tailoring additional interventions to patients' individual needs could further improve treatment efficacy.