Ten-year follow-up of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa: Psychiatric disorders and overall functioning scales

The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the long-term outcome in a representative sample of teenage-onset anorexia nervosa (AN) in respect o f psychiatric disorders and overall outcome. Fifty-one AN cases, recruited by community screening, with a mean age of onset of 14 years, was contraste d with 51 matched comparison cases at a mean age of 24 years (10 years afte r AN onset). All 102 cases had been examined at ages 16 and 21 years. At 24 years all probands were interviewed regarding psychiatric disorders (SCID- I) and overall outcome (Morgan-Russell assessment schedule, the GAF). There were no deaths at 10-year follow-up. One in four in the AN group had a per sisting eating disorder (ED), including three who still had anorexia nervos a. Lifetime diagnoses of affective disorders and obsessive-compulsive disor der were over-represented in the AN group. Outcome according to Morgan-Russ ell was poor in 27 %, intermediate in 29 %, and good in 43 %. According to the GAF, half the AN group had a poor psychosocial functioning. These were subjects with either a persisting ED or lifelong problems with social inter action or obsessive -compulsive behaviour. Ten-year outcome of teenage-onse t AN is favourable in the majority of cases; most individuals have recovere d from their ED and have no other axis I disorder. However, half the AN gro up reported poor psychosocial outcome. in most cases explained by a persist ing ED or chronic obsessive-compulsive behaviour/social interaction problem s.