Trans-diagnostic outcome of eating disorders: A 30-month follow-up study of 629 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the 30-month outcome and predictors of outcome in a cohort of patients with any eating disorder (ED).


METHODS
A naturalistic design was used to determine time to remission, predictors of remission, relapse, diagnostic cross-over and mortality of 629 patients.


RESULTS
At follow-up (FU) 312 patients attended, 42% obtained full remission and 72% partial remission. No differences were found between diagnostic groups for adolescents. Adult patients with anorexia-like eating disorder not otherwise specified-anorexia nervosa (EDNOS-AN) had the poorest outcome. Bulimia-like EDNOS was the most frequent relapse diagnosis. Bingeing/purging behaviour predicted a poorer outcome for individuals with bulimic disorders. Desired low BMI predicted a poorer outcome for individuals with anorexia. Comorbid personality disorder was a common predictor of a worse outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults with EDNOS-AN had the poorest prognosis. Bulimic symptoms emerged frequently during FU regardless of diagnosis. Remission rates and outcome predictors were similar to previous findings.
Helverskov
J L
JL
Eating Disorder Centre, Regional Centre of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark. jannhelv@rm.dk
Clausen
L
L
Mors
O
O
Frydenberg
M
M
Thomsen
P H
PH
Rokkedal
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005196:Family Therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome