Manualized family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe a case series of children and adolescents (mean age = 14.5 years, SD = 2.3; range 9-18) with anorexia nervosa who received manualized family-based treatment for their eating disorder.


METHODS
Forty-five patients with anorexia nervosa were compared pre- and post-treatment on weight and menstrual status.


RESULTS
After an average of 17 treatment sessions, patients were significantly improved on primary measures of outcome (body mass index and percentage of ideal body weight). Defining outcome categorically (Morgan-Russell outcome criteria), 56% (n = 25) had a good outcome (>85% ideal body weight and menses), 33% (n = 15) an intermediate outcome (>85% IBW and menses intermittent), and 11% (n = 5) responded poorly (<85% ideal body weight and no menses).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility of an outpatient approach with active parental involvement in the treatment of children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. However, randomized, controlled studies are needed to establish the relative efficacy of this family-based treatment approach.
Le Grange
Daniel
D
Department of Psychiatry, Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. dlegrang@uchicago.edu
Binford
Roslyn
R
Loeb
Katharine L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans