Background: Dropout is a neglected area of research; patients with anorexia
nervosa are a group with high risk for dropout. Research questions: 1. Wha
t are the frequency and type of dropout in disorder-specific, integrated tr
eatment programs for anorexic patients! 2. What are the predictors for drop
out!
Method:Analysis of 80 prospectively documented, consecutive treatment episo
des of anorexic inpatients, based on multimodal clinical and psychometric p
arameters.
Results:Twenty percent of patients terminated on their own initiative, ofte
n after reaching target weight; 10% were discharged by the treatment team.
At least 43% of dropouts continued with some sort of psychotherapy within t
he 3 months after discharge. Previous dropout was a predictor for dropout i
n the present episodes. Patients with no comorbidity had a higher risk of d
ropout. Patients discharged by the team had personality disorders more ofte
n. Patients with comorbid depression stayed in treatment.
Conclusions:The form of termination of treatment should be routinely assess
ed. Previous dropout and comorbidity are indicators of the risk of dropout.