title: Predictors of dropout and remission in family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa in a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to explore the predictors of dropout and remission in the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) using family therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data derived from a randomized clinical trial comparing short and long term family therapy for adolescents with AN were used. A rotated component analysis was employed to reduce the number of variables and to address problems of collinearity and multiple testing. Dropout was defined as participating in less than 80% of the assigned therapy. Participants were classified as remitted if they obtained an ideal body weight greater than 95% and a global eating disorder Examination score within two standard deviations of community norms at the end of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Co-morbid psychiatric disorder and being randomized to longer treatment predicted greater dropout. The presence of co-morbid psychiatric disorder, being older, and problematic family behaviors led to lower rates of remission. A reduction of child behavioral symptoms, a decline in problematic family behaviors, and early weight gain were all within treatment changes that increased the chance of remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Co-morbid psychiatric disorder, family behaviors, and early response to treatment are important factors when predicting dropout and remission in family therapy for adolescent AN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA. jimlock@stanford.edu
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Couturier
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction