title: A 4-year prospective observational follow-up study of course and predictors of course in body dysmorphic disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This report prospectively examines the 4-year course, and predictors of course, of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a common and often severe disorder. No prior studies have prospectively examined the course of BDD in individuals ascertained for BDD. Method The Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation (LIFE) assessed weekly BDD symptoms and treatment received over 4 years for 166 broadly ascertained adults and adolescents with current BDD at intake. Kaplan-Meier life tables were constructed for time to remission and relapse. Full remission was defined as minimal or no BDD symptoms, and partial remission as less than full DSM-IV criteria, for at least 8 consecutive weeks. Full relapse and partial relapse were defined as meeting full BDD criteria for at least 2 consecutive weeks after attaining full or partial remission respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression examined predictors of remission and relapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 4 years, the cumulative probability was 0.20 for full remission and 0.55 for full or partial remission from BDD. A lower likelihood of full or partial remission was predicted by more severe BDD symptoms at intake, longer lifetime duration of BDD, and being an adult. Among partially or fully remitted subjects, the cumulative probability was 0.42 for subsequent full relapse and 0.63 for subsequent full or partial relapse. More severe BDD at intake and earlier age at BDD onset predicted full or partial relapse. Eighty-eight percent of subjects received mental health treatment during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this observational study, BDD tended to be chronic. Several intake variables predicted greater chronicity of BDD.
authors.affiliation: Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA. Katharine_Phillips@brown.edu
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Menard
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Didie
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stout
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D018450:Disease Progression; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs