Longitudinal comparison of anorexia nervosa subtypes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare patients with restricting anorexia nervosa (ANR) and binge/purge anorexia nervosa (ANBP) on measures of impulsivity, course, and outcome.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-six treatment-seeking women with AN followed prospectively for 8-12 years were reclassified at intake as 51 ANRs and 85 ANBPs according to the DSM-IV subtyping classification. Lifetime Axis I and Axis II disorders were assessed using structured interviews; follow-up interviews were conducted at 6-12-month intervals to collect weekly data on eating disorder symptomatology.


RESULTS
Women with ANR and ANBP did not differ on history of substance abuse, kleptomania, suicidality, or borderline personality diagnosis at intake, or on rates of recovery, relapse, or mortality. By 8 years of follow-up, 62% of women with ANR crossed over to ANBP prospectively and only 12% of women with AN never reported regular binge/purge behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings on impulsivity, course, and outcome do not support the current subtyping system. The high crossover rate in our sample from ANR to ANBP suggests that ANR represents a phase in the course of AN rather than a distinct subtype.
Eddy
Kamryn T
KT
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Keel
Pamela K
PK
Dorer
David J
DJ
Delinsky
Sherrie S
SS
Franko
Debra L
DL
Herzog
David B
DB
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016015:Logistic Models; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome