Characteristics of anorexia nervosa-related deaths in Norway (1992-2000): data from the National Patient Register and the Causes of Death Register.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated demographic and diagnostic characteristics of individuals whose medical record or death certificate indicated the presence of anorexia nervosa at the time of death.


METHODS
Two national registers, the National Patient Register (NPR) and the Causes of Death Register (CODR), were examined in Norway for anorexia nervosa-related deaths occurring across a 9-year period (1992-2000).


RESULTS
The medical record or death certificate listed anorexia nervosa as a diagnosis or cause of death for 66 individuals. Rates of death were 6.46 and 9.93 per 100,000 deaths for the NPR and the CODR, respectively. A substantial percentage of deaths (43.9%) in both registers occurred at or above the age of 65 years. For the NPR, the mean age at the time of death was 61 years and 31% of deaths occurred among men. For the CODR, the mean age at the time of death was 49 years and 18% of deaths occurred among men.


CONCLUSIONS
Potential merits and shortcomings of assessing mortality rates using register-based data without linkage to a previously identified clinical sample are discussed.
Reas
Deborah L
DL
Sintef-Unimed, Mental Health Services, Oslo, Norway.
Kjelsås
Einar
E
Heggestad
Torhild
T
Eriksen
Lasse
L
Nielsen
Søren
S
Gjertsen
Finn
F
Götestam
K Gunnar
KG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution