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Outcome of Anorexia Nervosa in Males

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Tom Burns  and
A. H. Crisp
Tom Burns*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE
A. H. Crisp
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE
*
∗Correspondence.
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Summary

Twenty-seven consecutive male patients suffering from anorexia nervosa were fol lowed-up 2–20 years after presentation; 20 had been treated with an in-patient refeeding/psychotherapy regime. The outcome of the series compared very closely with a similar group of female anorectics: 12 (44%) had a good outcome, stable weight restoration and normal sexual functioning; seven (26%) had an intermediate outcome, and eight (30%) poor (weight more than 15% below normal, and poor or no sexual activity). No patient had died. Good outcome in terms of weight was associated with good psychological and social functioning, while poor outcome was clearly associated with a longer duration of illness, previous treatment, and greater weight-loss during illness, although not with any specific dietary behaviour. Poor relationship with parents during childhood and the absence of normal adolescent sexual behaviour premorbidly were also strongly predictive of poor outcome.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 145 , Issue 3 , September 1984 , pp. 319 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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