THE PROGNOSIS OF FINNISH FEMALE ANOREXIA PATIENTS

This study aimed to chart the course and outcome of female anorexia ne rvosa (AN) patients at Turku University Central Hospital (TUCH). It is based on patients' hospital records from January 1980 to December 199 3. In that period we found 141 female anorexia nervosa patients, of wh om 58 (41%) had recovered in an average time of 3.1 years. Fifty-one ( 36%) had ceased their treatment. Nineteen (13%) were transferred to th eir local hospitals or continued therapy in private practice. Eleven ( 8%) patients were still in treatment at TUCH. Two (1.4%) had died of A N. Negative prognostic factors for the duration of the illness were hi gh age (>18 years) at the onset of AN, low body mass index (BMI) at ar rival to the hospital, and the lowest BMI found (<15).