Anorexia nervosa: 30-year outcome

Dobrescu, S. R., Dinkler, L., Gillberg, C., Råstam, M., Gillberg, C. and Wentz, E. (2020) Anorexia nervosa: 30-year outcome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 216(2), pp. 97-104. (doi: 10.1192/bjp.2019.113) (PMID:31113504) (PMCID:PMC7557598)

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Abstract

Background: Little is known about the long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa. Aims: To study the 30-year outcome of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa. Method: All 4291 individuals born in 1970 and attending eighth grade in 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden were screened for anorexia nervosa. A total of 24 individuals (age cohort for anorexia nervosa) were pooled with 27 individuals with anorexia nervosa (identified through community screening) who were born in 1969 and 1971–1974. The 51 individuals with anorexia nervosa and 51 school- and gender-matched controls were followed prospectively and examined at mean ages of 16, 21, 24, 32 and 44. Psychiatric disorders, health-related quality of life and general outcome were assessed. Results At the 30-year follow-up 96% of participants agreed to participate. There was no mortality. Of the participants, 19% had an eating disorder diagnosis (6% anorexia nervosa, 2% binge-eating disorder, 11% other specified feeding or eating disorder); 38% had other psychiatric diagnoses; and 64% had full eating disorder symptom recovery, i.e. free of all eating disorder criteria for 6 consecutive months. During the elapsed 30 years, participants had an eating disorder for 10 years, on average, and 23% did not receive psychiatric treatment. Good outcome was predicted by later age at onset among individuals with adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa and premorbid perfectionism. Conclusions: This long-term follow-up study reflects the course of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa and has shown a favourable outcome regarding mortality and full symptom recovery. However, one in five had a chronic eating disorder.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:C.G. received grant support from the Swedish Research Council (521-2012-1754), AnnMari and Per Ahlqvist Foundation and from government grants under the ALF agreement. E.W. received support from Jane and Dan Olsson Foundations (2015 and 2016-55), Wilhelm and Martina Lundgren Foundation (vet2-73/2014 and 2017-1555) and Petter Silfverskiöld’s Memorial Foundation (2016-007). L.D. was supported by Queen Silvia’s Jubilee Fund (2016) and the Samariten Foundation (2016-0150). All authors received research support from the Birgit and Sten A. Olsson Foundation for research on mental disabilities.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gillberg, Professor Christopher
Authors: Dobrescu, S. R., Dinkler, L., Gillberg, C., Råstam, M., Gillberg, C., and Wentz, E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher:Royal College of Psychiatrists
ISSN:0007-1250
ISSN (Online):1472-1465
Published Online:22 May 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
First Published:First published in British Journal Psychiatry 216(2): 97-104
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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