title: Long-term course of anorexia nervosa: response, relapse, remission, and recovery.
abstract: There is no predictable or normative long-term course associated with anorexia nervosa. Some Individuals achieve complete recovery; others are ravaged by a chronic disorder; and some die from it. Predicting course and outcome of anorexia nervosa is complicated by the intrinsic complexity of the disorder; a lack of shared terminology in studying the disorder; and a paucity of controlled clinical treatment studies. This manuscript provides a review of the current state of knowledge based on the long-term studies and discusses ways in which methodological issues limit our ability to generalize more confidently regarding the course and outcome of anorexia nervosa. In order to advance the field, we need to bridge the gap between treatment outcome studies and naturalistic follow-up studies. Further we need to devine more carefully and consistently the milestones of initial treatment response, relapse, remission, and recovery. Building on previous works, criteria for each of these terms are proposed. Based on existing studies, a discussion of treatment outcome and prognostic factors is provided. Finally, clinical recommendations are provided for the clinician who is responsible for the long-term care of an individual with anorexia nervosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019090:Case Management; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs