Effectiveness of multidisciplinary team approach and prognosis of inpatients with eating disorders

Abstract

Multidisciplinary team approach to eating disorders (ED) mainly utilizing behavior therapy including cognitive, group and family therapy has been implemented in our hospital. In order to assess usefulness of our treatment, we investigated the long-term (more than 4 years after discharge) prognosis of the 68 inpatients with ED consisting of restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN) (AN-R), AN with binge-eating/purge (AN-BP) and bulimia nervosa (BN) by using newly developed checklist for ED in Japan. We defined the score and five outcome criteria. We found that 51.5% ( n=35) of the patients was excellent, 17.9% ( n=12) was much improved, 11.9% ( n=8) was symptomatic and 11.9% ( n=8) poor and 7.4% ( n=5) had died. AN-R had the youngest average age at admission, shortest duration of illness and smallest body mass index at admission. Around 84% of AN-R patients had reached the level of excellent or much improved outcome, though only around 61% of AN-BP patients and 50% of BN patients showed excellent or much improved outcome. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that our treatment is effective for ED patients, especially AN-R. However, in order to improve the effectiveness of treatment for AN-BP and BN, we should further develop every system of the treatment strategy.