Weight curves as predictors of short-term outcome in anorexia nervosa inpatients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to find factors that predict the short-term outcome of inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN).


METHODS
Female inpatients with AN (N = 100) were divided into treatment completers (N = 50) and drop-outs (N = 50). Using stepwise linear regression the relationship of demographic data, illness history and patterns of weight gain to BMI gain up to discharge were analysed.


RESULTS
Among drop-outs, 69% of the variance in BMI gain up to discharge was explained by length of the first half of treatment (FHT), average weekly BMI gain and average weight loss during FHT. Among completers, 52% of the variance in BMI gain up to discharge was explained by BMI at admission and average weekly BMI gain during the second half of treatment (SHT).


CONCLUSIONS
Weight curves offer important information about short-term outcome for patients with AN.
Mewes
Ricarda
R
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147 Essen, Germany. ricarda.mewes@uni-due.de
Tagay
Sefik
S
Senf
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D016014:Linear Models; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain