[Structured care program yielded good results in severe anorexia nervosa]

Between 1994 and 1998, 19 patients averaging 21 years of age (range 17-24) with severe anorexia nervosa were treated according to a special protocol including enteral nutrition by the nasogastric route, firmly implemented supervisory strategies and simultaneous psychiatric support. Mean body mass index increased from 13.8 (10.4-16.3) at admission to 15.2 (13.0-18.2) at discharge after an average hospital stay of 24 days. No serious complications occurred. At a follow-up in 1999, a questionnaire concerning the protocol was answered by 13 of the patients. Most of them experienced the hospital stay as trying, but retrospectively perceived the tube feeding and supervisory strategies as necessary.