An integrative quantitative model of factors influencing the course of anorexia nervosa over time.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors influencing the course of anorexia nervosa (AN) over time.


METHODS
Former female patients with AN (36 remitted and 24 nonremitted) and 31 healthy females responded to standardized interviews and self-rating questionnaires. Remitted patients maintained normal eating, normal weight, and regular menses for the past 12 months. Patients not fulfilling these criteria were considered nonremitted.


RESULTS
Using logistic regression, we identified that number of hospitalizations, duration of ambulatory treatment, past vegetarianism, past anxiety, and childhood sexual abuse differentiated remitted from nonremitted patients, predicting nonremission. A similar analysis identified that elevated follow-up vegetarianism and eating-related concerns and lower body mass index (BMI) differentiated remitted from nonremitted patients, contributing to nonremission. Univariate analyses identified that remitted patients had elevated anxiety and eating-related obsessionality compared with the controls, suggesting these variables to potentially predispose to AN.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated anxiety and eating-related obsessionality may increase the risk for the development of AN and for nonremission.
Yackobovitch-Gavan
Michal
M
School of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Quality Sciences, Rehovot.
Golan
Moria
M
Valevski
Avi
A
Kreitler
Shulamit
S
Bachar
Eytan
E
Lieblich
Amia
A
Mitrani
Edith
E
Weizman
Abraham
A
Stein
Daniel
D
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses; D055815:Young Adult