Follow-up investigation in patients with anorexia nervosa.
Sixty-three female patients with anorexia nervosa were assessed for outcome, on average 27.5 months after treatment. The treatment program, in a general adolescent medical service, is multidisciplinary, stressing appropriate weight gain in conjunction with various therapeutic modalities. Half the group required at least one hospitalization; the remainder received treatment as outpatients. Mean weight of the patients was 41.8 kg at first contact, 46.2 kg at conclusion of treatment, and 52.2 kg at follow-up. Average height at the time of follow-up was in the 38th percentile. Average weight was in the 15th percentile at first contact, and in the 29th percentile at follow-up. Current weight is 8% below ideal. Ninety-three percent of the patients had amenorrhea at diagnosis, and 9.5% at follow-up. Vomiting declined from 59% of patients to 16%. Vomiting was significantly associated with poor outcome. The majority function successfully, academically and vocationally. Most continue to restrict diet, and 79% consider themselves overweight. Forty percent report chronic feelings of depression, and 22% have unsatisfactory social relationships. The data suggest no difference in outcome between those receiving psychotherapy (65%) and those who did not (35%). Type and duration of therapy were also not associated with long-range improvement.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001827:Body Height; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009770:Obsessive Behavior; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications