Somatic outcome among patients hospitalised for anorexia nervosa in adolescence: disorders reported and links with global outcome.

AIMS

(1) To describe the frequency of somatic pathologies and depression among former anorexia nervosa (AN) patients; (2) to study links with subjects' clinical history and global outcomes.

METHODS

97 women hospitalised for AN during adolescence, 9.00 ± 1.92 years previously, were interviewed using structured questionnaires concerning somatic and psychiatric disorders that they had experienced.

RESULTS

Iron deficiency, migraine, cystitis, upper digestive system disorders, fractures, osteoporosis, and dental problems were reported with a frequency >20 %. Depression was reported by 2/3 of the sample. Osteoporosis was 14 times more frequent in case of vitamin D deficiency. Fractures were three times more frequent in presence of osteoporosis and less frequent when the overall outcome was better.

CONCLUSION

Among women who had AN in adolescence, somatic comorbidities are frequent in adulthood. They are linked to the severity and the duration of AN, and to the overall outcome of the subject.