Adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa: 18-year outcome.
BACKGROUND
The long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa is insufficiently researched.


OBJECTIVE
To study prospectively the long-term outcome and prognostic factors in a representative sample of people with teenage-onset anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Fifty-one people with anorexia nervosa, recruited by community screening and with a mean age at onset of 14 years were compared with 51 matched comparison individuals at a mean age of 32 years (18 years after disorder onset). All participants had been examined at ages 16 years, 21 years and 24 years. They were interviewed for Axis I psychiatric disorders and overall outcome (Morgan-Russell assessment schedule and the Global Assessment of Functioning).


RESULTS
There were no deaths. Twelve per cent (n=6) had a persisting eating disorder, including three with anorexia nervosa. Thirty-nine per cent of the anorexia nervosa group met the criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder. The general outcome was poor in 12%. One in four did not have paid employment owing to psychiatric problems. Poor outcome was predicted by premorbid obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, age at onset of anorexia nervosa and autistic traits.


CONCLUSIONS
The 18-year outcome of teenage-onset anorexia nervosa is favourable in respect of mortality and persisting eating disorder.
Wentz
Elisabet
E
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Göteborg University, Otterhällegatan 12 B, SE-411 18 Göteborg, Sweden. elisabet.wentz@vgregion.se
Gillberg
I Carina
IC
Anckarsäter
Henrik
H
Gillberg
Christopher
C
Råstam
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012917:Social Adjustment; D055815:Young Adult