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Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Relapse in anorexia nervosa: a survival analysis.
J C Carter1, E Blackmore, K Sutandar-Pinnock
1Department of Psychiatry, Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jacqueline.carter@uhn.on.ca
Psychological Medicine
|April 22, 2004
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) relapse remains a significant concern, with 35% of patients relapsing within 18 months post-treatment. Key predictors include suicide attempts and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, informing relapse prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorders Research
Background:
- Understanding anorexia nervosa (AN) relapse predictors is crucial for effective treatment development.
- Relapse prevention strategies require knowledge of factors influencing AN recovery.
- Investigating the psychopathology of AN can be advanced by studying relapse patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate, timing, and predictors of relapse in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients after inpatient weight restoration.
- To identify factors associated with an increased risk of AN relapse post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- Study included 51 first-admission AN patients who achieved weight restoration.
- Follow-up assessments occurred at a median of 15 months post-discharge.
- Relapse defined as BMI <17.5 for 3 consecutive months; data analyzed using survival analysis and Cox regression.
Main Results:
- The overall relapse rate was 35%, with a mean survival time of 18 months.
- The highest risk period for relapse was between 6 and 17 months post-discharge.
- Significant predictors included history of suicide attempt, prior eating disorder treatment, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, excessive exercise post-discharge, and residual weight/shape concerns.
Conclusions:
- A significant risk of AN relapse persists even after the first year post-discharge.
- Several identified variables are associated with an elevated risk of relapse.
- Findings inform the development of initial AN treatments and relapse prevention strategies.
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