COURSE AND OUTCOME IN ADOLESCENT ANOREXIA-NERVOSA

Objective: To investigate course, outcome, and psychiatric comorbidity in adolescent anorexia nervosa by repeated follow-up assessment. Meth od: Thirty-four subjects (88%) of an original sample of 39 inpatients were followed up personally 3 and 7 years after discharge and classifi ed according to DSM-III-R eating disorder categories. Standardized psy chometric instruments were used to assess specific eating disorder sym ptoms, concomitant general psychopathology, and comorbid psychiatric d iagnoses. Results: After 7 years, 7 patient (3%) had anorexia nervosa, 4 patients (12%) bulimia nervosa, and 10 patients (29%) eating disord er not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Anxiety disorders (41%) and affect ive disorders (18%) were the most prevalent comorbid psychiatric disor ders. Concomitant general psychopathology was significantly related to the outcome of the earing disorder. Conclusions: According to our res ults, the majority of former adolescent anorexic inpatients had shown substantial improvement in their eating disorder symptomatology after 7 years. Patients with persisting eating disorders mostly suffered fro m restrictive symptoms. The prevalence and distribution of psychiatric comorbidity were similar to those of adult-onset anorexia nervosa. Su bjects with a worse outcome of the eating disorder also displayed high er levels of general psychopathology. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, I nc.