Are there gender differences in core symptoms, temperament, and short-term prospective outcome in anorexia nervosa?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare symptoms, premorbid personality phenotypes, and short-term outcome between males and females with anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Symptom and personality ratings were obtained at the time of hospital admission, and outcome was assessed at discharge and again 1 year later.


RESULTS
Gender effects were negligible at admission, with the exception of greater weight concern among females. Lifetime anxiety disorders and personality traits implicated in liability for anorexia nervosa were common among patients of both genders. Females had greater persistence of symptom morbidity over the 1-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although gender has little effect on the clinical features of anorexia nervosa, the illness runs a more protracted early course in females. Possible mechanisms underlying greater persistence of morbidity in females include sexual dimorphisms in brain neurotransmission, gender differences in attitudes regarding ideal body weight, and anxiety-related personality phenotypes associated with anorexia nervosa.
Strober
Michael
M
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024-1759, USA. mstrober@mednet.ucla.edu
Freeman
Roberta
R
Lampert
Carlyn
C
Diamond
Jane
J
Teplinsky
Cheryl
C
DeAntonio
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome