Factors affecting dropout in outpatient eating disorder treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence and effects of factors potentially influencing eating disordered patients' dropping out of outpatient cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).


METHODS
Sixty-seven (64 female, 3 male) patients with eating disorders participated in the study. All patients followed a multidisciplinary team approach for a median period of 9 months. Several factors potentially affecting dropout were retrospectively assessed prior to treatment.


RESULTS
The dropout rate was significantly higher in patients with purging anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to those with restrictive AN, bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified (33% vs. 27%, 25% or 21%, respectively, p<0.05). Among several factors influencing dropout, there was a significant association of patient low cooperativeness, purging episodes, restrictive eating, use of several weight control practices and psychiatric co-morbidity in patients who dropped out compared to completers (all p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In outpatient eating disorder treatment, non-compliance and premature interruption of therapy are affected primarily by factors which are related to patients' attitude and behaviour. These factors should be carefully addressed in patients with eating disorders to improve outcome.
Bandini
S
S
Eating Disorder Centre, Section of Clinical Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Antonelli
G
G
Moretti
P
P
Pampanelli
S
S
Quartesan
R
R
Perriello
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors