Abstract
This study evaluated the short-term outcome of a multimodal inpatient treatment concept for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). In this prospective observational study, a cohort of 126 female adolescents with AN (age range: 11–17, mean age: 14.83) was longitudinally followed from admission to discharge (average duration of stay: 77 days). We used gold-standard clinical interviews and self-report data, as well as DSM-5 remission criteria, to evaluate the treatment outcome. From admission to discharge, body-mass-index (BMI) significantly improved by 2.6 kg/m2. Data from clinical interviews and self-reports yielded similar improvements in restraint eating and eating concerns (large effects). Lower effects were observed for variables assessing weight/shape concerns and drive for thinness. At discharge, 23.2% of patients showed full remission of AN, 31.3% partial remission, and 45.5% no remission according to DSM-5 criteria. Differences in remission groups were found regarding AN severity, age at admission, and use of antidepressant medication. Living with both parents, longer duration of inpatient treatment and the use of antipsychotic medication were significantly associated with higher BMI change. The findings provide evidence for the short-term effectiveness of our inpatient treatment concept. We recommend using DSM-5 based remission criteria to evaluate the treatment outcome to improve the comparability of studies.
Highlights
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and complex psychiatric disorder characterized by self-directed severe weight loss, intense fear of weight gain, disturbed body image, and secondary medical problems associated with malnutrition involving a vast variety of biopsychosocial influencing risk and maintenance factors [1,2,3,4,5]
All adolescent patients aged between 11 and 17 years, with a definite diagnosis of AN according to the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems [88] with gitudinal investigation that aimed at evaluating the inpatient treatment concept for adolescents with AN at the Eating Disorders Unit of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Medical University Hospital of Vienna
The main aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized multimodal inpatient treatment concept for adolescents with AN considering clinician’s ratings and self-reports as well as the DSM-5 remission criteria to assure the quality of the treatment
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and complex psychiatric disorder characterized by self-directed severe weight loss, intense fear of weight gain, disturbed body image, and secondary medical problems associated with malnutrition involving a vast variety of biopsychosocial influencing risk and maintenance factors [1,2,3,4,5]. The complex phenomenology of this illness and its long enduring course of over 20 years in more than half of those affected, requires specially adapted treatment concepts to increase remission and recovery rates [1,3,5,24]. The current recommendations for consideration of inpatient treatment include a body-mass-index (BMI) below the 3rd percentile, rapid weight loss, low energy intake, refusal to drink, medical complications, severe psychiatric comorbidity, dysfunctional family interactions, and insufficient response to outpatient treatment [25,26,27]. The main goals of inpatient treatment are medical stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation with an additional focus on improvement in eating disorder symptoms and general psychopathology initiating a longer-term psychotherapeutic process [3,13,25,26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
