Outcome and prognosis of anorexia nervosa. A retrospective study of 41 subjects.

An investigation was carried out in 1986 of 41 patients, 39 female and 2 male, who had been treated for anorexia nervosa in a psychiatric ward at a general hospital between 1958 and 1980. A follow-up analysis was carried out, in which 30 subjects participated. Using the scores on the 40-item version of the EAT as outcome criteria, validated by the Morgan-Hayward outcome scales, the outcome distribution and rate of mortality was in agreement with previous findings. Further data concerning weight, menstruation, and nutritional, social and psychiatric status were based on a semistructured interview as well as on the scores on the EAT, the GHQ, and the MMPI. Prognostic variables were analysed, indicating that duration of illness, poor motivation for treatment, social withdrawal, and poor family relations were significant as predictors of poor outcome.