Abstract
Summary Background & aims Outcomes of anorexia nervosa in patients meeting criteria for hospitalization were compared to those treated as outpatients. Methods A questionnaire on the quality of recovery was completed by 143 patients. Groups were defined according to indication for hospitalization during the first 6 months of care (inpatient treatment: n = 46, ambulatory treatment: n = 97). Results At intake, inpatients were characterized by lower BMI, and by higher prevalence of restrictive forms of the disease and prior suicide attempts. After 5 year follow-up, outcomes were similar in inpatients and outpatients respectively for BMI (18.4 vs. 19.2 kg/m 2 ), frequency of BMI normalization (45.7 vs. 49%), self reports of feeling “completely cured” (21% in both), educational attainment and professional functioning. Amenorrhea was more frequent in inpatients (21.7% vs. 8.2%). Inpatients also more frequently continued under medical supervision at the time of this study. Conclusions Despite a more severe initial presentation, patients requiring hospitalization at entry exhibited outcomes comparable to outpatients, although requiring longer care.
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