Short-term outcome of anorexia nervosa in adolescents after inpatient treatment: a prospective study

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Nov;18(11):701-4. doi: 10.1007/s00787-009-0024-9. Epub 2009 Apr 28.

Abstract

The current study describes the short-term outcome of adolescent inpatient population suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) and analyzes the clinical predictors of poor outcome in these patients. Fifty-seven female AN patients (mean = 15.8, SD = 1.3) admitted for inpatient treatment to a specialized eating disorder unit at a university medical center were reassessed 1 year after being discharged. Assessments were made at the beginning and at the end of the inpatient treatment as well as at the 1-year follow-up. Self-rating data and expert-rating interview data were obtained. Adequate data for 55 (96.5%) cases allowed for the assignment of an outcome category. A total of 28.1% of the patients' cases showed a good outcome, meaning the patients fully recovered, and 8.8% had an intermediate outcome, and 59.6% of the patients' cases had a poor outcome. Significant predictors of poor outcome included the patient's BMI at the beginning of the treatment as well as psychiatric comorbidity, and purging behavior. Adolescent AN is a severe disorder with a poor outcome in a substantial amount of adolescents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anorexia Nervosa / therapy*
  • Body Image
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Female
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Patient Selection
  • Prospective Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome