Adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa: 18-year outcome

Elisabet Wentz, I. Carina Gillberg, Henrik Anckarsäter, Christopher Gillberg, Maria Råstam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background The long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa is insufficiently researched. Aims To study prospectively the long-term outcome and prognostic factors in a representative sample of people with teenage-onset anorexia nervosa. Method 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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)168-174
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume194
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Comment by Sekari MK on this article in Br J Psychiatry 2009;194(6):564
doi 10.1192/bjp.194.6.564a

Authors reply in Br J Psychiatry 2009;194(6):565
doi 10.1192/bjp.194.6.564

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Psychiatry

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