LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ANOREXIA-NERVOSA -STUDY OF COMORBIDITY

Eighty-seven children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa, admitted to the Gaslini Depart ment of Child Neurology and Psychiatry between 1 976 and 1990, were followed up after a mean of 9.6 years. Outcome meas ures included the Morgan-Russell Outcome Schedule as modified by Jeamm et. Outcome was good in 43 (53%) cases, intermediate in 27 (34%) cases , and negative in 11 (14%) cases. No deaths occurred. Based on the Jea mmet assessment schedule, the most significant items predicting outcom e were insight; sexual, familial, and social relationships; and mental state. Gender of patients and early disease onset did not seem to be predictive measures. Poor outcome was associated with a severe initial clinical picture and length of in-patient treatment. In regard to com orbidity, mood and personality disorders seemed to be negative prognos tic indicators, whereas anxiety disorders did not show prognostic valu e. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.