Factors predictive of ten-year mortality in severe anorexia nervosa patients

Little is known concerning mortality and predictive factors for anorexia nervosa in-patients. This study aimed to establish mortality rates and identify predictors in a large sample of adults through a 10-year post in-patient treatment follow-up.

Vital status was established for 601 anorexia nervosa (DSM-IV) consecutive in-patients with initial evaluation at admission. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated. Cox analyses for hypothesized predictors of mortality were performed.

Forty deaths were recorded. SMR was 10.6 [CI 95% (7.6-14.4)]. Six factors at admission were associated with death: older age, longer eating disorder duration, history of suicide attempt, diuretic use, intensity of eating disorder symptoms, and desired body mass index at admission.

Anorexia nervosa in-patients are at high risk of death. This risk can be predicted by both chronicity and seriousness of illness at hospitalization. These elements should be considered as warnings to adapt care provision and could be targeted by treatment.