Author(s)

Solenn Kermarrec, Bernard Kabuth, Anne-Christine Rat, Michel Vidailhet, Colette Vidailhet

EA 3444, Faculté de Médecine, Université Henri Poincaré Nancy I, Nancy, France.
Pôle Hospital Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et l’adolescent, Rennes, France.
Service de Pédiatrie 3 et Génétique, CHU Nancy, Nancy, France.
Service de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, CHU Nancy, Nancy, France.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcome of adolescents with anorexia nervosa and attempt to define prognostic factors for outcome. Methods: Transversal, descriptive epidemiological study with a strict methodology: minimum interval of 4 years since first admission, evaluation using clearly defined diagnostic criteria (EAT-40 self-evaluation, HSCL, global patient-driven self-evaluation and hetero evaluation: clinical interview and LECE). The 198 subjects are former adolescent anorexics treated at the Hôpital d’Enfants (Children’s Hospital) in Nancy (France). Results: Clinical evaluation of the 144 subjects traced showed positive outcome for 68.1%, intermediate outcome for 23.2% and poor outcome for 8.7%. 5 factors for a good prognosis were found (middle socioeconomic class of parents, no prior treatment, hospitalization > 1 month, follow-up < 12 months, no re-admission to hospital). Discussion: This study, which is one of the largest studies on the outcome of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa in France, shows the value of integrated treatment within a children’s hospital.

Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent, Epidemiology, Prognosis, Outcome

Kermarrec, S. , Kabuth, B. , Rat, A. , Vidailhet, M. and Vidailhet, C. (2014) The Outcome of Adolescent-Onset Anorexia Nervosa: A Study of 144 Cases. Health, 6, 1883-1893. doi: 10.4236/health.2014.614221.