Implications of the changing use of hospitalization to treat anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to compare inpatient hospitalization practices for treating anorexia nervosa at two time periods and to assess whether differences in practices affected treatment outcome.


METHODS
Hospital charts were examined for all patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and a body mass index < or = 17.5 kg/m2 at admission who were admitted to a university hospital during 1975-1980 (early) or 1990-1995 (later).


RESULTS
The "later cohort" had significantly higher admission and discharge body mass indexes, shorter lengths of stay, higher rates of weight gain, and more readmissions. Predictors of rehospitalization for the later cohort were increased length of stay, prior hospitalizations, and more rapid weight gain.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the use of hospitalization to treat anorexia nervosa has changed over time and is associated with increased rates of readmission.
Willer
Molly G
MG
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Thuras
Paul
P
Crow
Scott J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain