The significance of subclassification in anorexia nervosa: a comparative study of clinical features in 141 patients.
Within a sample of 141 female anorexia nervosa patients comparative investigations were carried out between three subgroups: dieters, binge-eaters, and vomiters/purgers. A number of significant differences were found, especially with respect to age and duration of illness, previous treatment failures, and long-term outcome. The results appear to support the authors' view that the static idea of anorexia nervosa as a unitary illness should be abandoned and replaced by a dynamic dimensional model according to which, in the course of time, changes may occur in the clinical picture of dysorectic patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001835:Body Weight; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis