Five-year prospective study of personality disorders in adults with longstanding eating disorders

To (1) report the occurrence of personality disorders (PDs) in adults with eating disorders (EDs) during inpatient treatment, and at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-up, (2) compare the changes of PDs in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), and (3) investigate if recovered patients had lower frequency of PDs.

Seventy-four patients with EDs were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II disorders during inpatient treatment, and at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-up.

During inpatient treatment, 58 patients (78%) had one or more PDs and this was reduced to 32 (43%) at 5-year follow-up. Dimensional PD scores changed significantly over time in both AN, BN, and EDNOS, but no significant differences emerged among the ED groups. Recovered patients had lower frequency of PDs (p < 0.01).

The substantial 5-year follow-up reductions in the frequency of PDs in patients with EDs present an optimistic clinical scenario for treating patients with comorbid ED and PD.