Long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa: Results from a large clinical longitudinal study

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychosomatic disorder which most typically begins between 16 and 18 years of age. Clinicians have often held that early onset (eg, ages 11 to 15) is associated with a better outcome. This paper reviews the long-term outcome studies on anorexia nervosa and concludes that this contention is not supported by available data. The methodologies of seven outcome studies that focus on an early onset population are critiqued, and it is concluded that two methodologies are strong. Because of the increasing prevalence of anorexia nervosa, this once rare disorder can now be more easily investigated, and consequently better follow-up studies, which examine potential prognostic factors including age of onset, should be forthcoming.

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Long-term outcome of children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa: study of comorbidity

Journal of Psychosomatic Research ◽

10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00210-9 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 565-571 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

L Saccomani ◽

M Savoini ◽

M Cirrincione ◽

F Vercellino ◽

G Ravera

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome

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The Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study

10.1093/med/9780190213589.003.0007 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth B. Owens ◽

Christine A. Zalecki ◽

Stephen P. Hinshaw

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Recruitment Strategy ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Health Significance ◽

Matched Comparison ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

Girls With Adhd

We describe the initiation and evolution of the Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study, an ongoing prospective, longitudinal study of 140 girls diagnosed with ADHD when they were children during the late 1990s, as well as 88 matched comparison girls. Study rationale, design, procedures, recruitment strategy, and measures are described in detail. Primary psychosocial and neuropsychological findings during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are summarized. Our initial findings regarding predictors of outcome are presented. Results are discussed in light of the existing literature regarding long-term outcome among children with ADHD. Overall, during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, in almost every psychosocial and neuropsychological domain we investigated, females with ADHD show sizable disadvantages and deficits relative to females without ADHD. Our findings affirm the public health significance of ADHD in girls, given the likelihood of persisting symptoms and (especially) impairment in crucial domains over the long-term.

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Long-term outcome and psychiatric comorbidity of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1359104519827629 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 33-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Susana Andrés-Pepiñá ◽

Maria Teresa Plana ◽

Itziar Flamarique ◽

Sonia Romero ◽

Roger Borràs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Control Group ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Statistical Manual ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Increased Risk ◽

A Current

Objective: To assess the outcome of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) about 20 years after first treatment. Methods: Sixty-two women diagnosed with AN during adolescence were invited to participate. Of these 62 patients, 38 agreed to participate and were assessed with a battery of questionnaires and interviews. A control group of 30 women of similar age was also assessed. Results: Of the patients who completed the full assessment, 13 (34%) presented some degree of eating disorder (ED) at follow-up (10 (26%) met full Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) criteria for an ED and 3 (8%) showed partial remission of an ED). The remaining 25 (66%) patients had fully recovered from AN. The duration of untreated illness before admission was significantly associated with an increased risk of a current ED (odds ratio (OR) = 3.334 (1.3–8.7); p = .014). Of the patients who had recovered totally from their ED, 24% showed another psychiatric disorder. This percentage rose to 70% in patients with a current ED. Conclusion: Sixty-six percent of adolescents who completed the assessment achieved remission of their AN. Comorbidity was more common in the current ED group. The variable that best predicted complete remission was the number of years without treatment, showing the importance of detection and early intervention.

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