Predictors of short-term outcome variables in hospitalised female adolescents with eating disorders

Objective: Research in eating disorders (EDs) suggests that outcome variables other than that of the ED per se, such as the presence of comorbid disorders and overall functioning at follow-up, may influence the ED condition at that time. We sought to assess the factors potentially predicting these different outcome variables.

Methods: Eighty-eight female adolescent in-patients with an ED were assessed on admission, discharge, and around one-year post-discharge using clinical interviews and self-rating questionnaires assessing ED and other relevant symptoms.

Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) of patients with anorexia nervosa increased from admission to discharge and was maintained at follow-up. Twenty-eight patients were remitted at follow-up, whereas 48 and 12 patients had intermediate and poor ED-related outcome, respectively. Follow-up BMI was correlated with baseline BMI. Good ED-related outcome at follow-up according to accepted criteria was associated with more lifetime suicide attempts and more severe baseline ED symptomatology. Elevated psychiatric comorbidity at follow-up was associated with elevated baseline anxiety and with re-hospitalisation during the post-discharge follow-up period. Better academic/occupational functioning and social functioning at follow-up were associated with less lifetime suicide attempts, less re-hospitalisation and lower baseline anxiety.

Conclusions: In EDs, diverse factors may predict different outcome variables.