title: Long term remission of anorexia nervosa: factors involved in the outcome of female patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anorexia nervosa (AN) is usually marked by difficult recovery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elicit, describe and characterize factors involved in successful AN remission for at least five years and post-recovery life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews according to grounded theory methodology was used. An intentional sample of 15 information rich AN patients was selected using two sampling procedures: the criterion and "snowball" techniques. Qualitative interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and entered into a content analysis. Researchers coded transcripts and developed themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four core parameters were found to be associated with remission: (i) 'motivation to change/stimuli'; (ii) 'empowerment/autonomy'; (iii) 'media related factors'; (iv) 'treatment factors'. Clinical remission can be associated with residual symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recovery model involves not only one, but rather a set of inter-active variables, each one can partially explain remission. Media factors can take a new role on recovery. Remission, however, can be followed by remnants of the disease and functional limitations.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo (Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Cybele R
authors: CR
authors: Espíndola
authors: Sergio L
authors: SL
authors: Blay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult