What happened to the ones who dropped out? Outcome in eating disorder patients who complete or prematurely terminate treatment.
BACKGROUND
There is a lack of knowledge about the outcome of eating disorder patients who terminate treatment prematurely. The present study followed-up eating disorder patients who had previously dropped out of treatment and examined clinical status 36 months after intake.


METHODS
Dropouts (n = 30) were compared with treatment completers (n = 52) on diagnostic status, clinical symptoms, psychosocial adjustment and treatment satisfaction at follow-up. Patterns of change from intake to follow-up within groups, as well as between groups, were explored.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between groups at follow-up, except for more treatment dissatisfaction reported among dropouts. When patterns of change were examined between groups, patients who completed treatment were found to have made significantly greater changes (less eating disorder symptoms, less psychological problems and more positive self-image) compared to dropouts.


CONCLUSIONS
Although no significant differences in outcome were found between dropouts and completers, greater clinical improvement was found among those who completed treatment. The dropouts examined in this study did well despite premature termination of treatment. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
Björk
Tabita
T
School of Health and Medical Sciences, Psychiatric Research Centre, Orebro University, Sweden. tabita.bjork@orebroll.se
Björck
Caroline
C
Clinton
David
D
Sohlberg
Staffan
S
Norring
Claes
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010343:Patient Admission; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013548:Sweden; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult