An outcome study of anorexia nervosa in an adolescent unit

This paper describes a follow-up study of 21 adolescent girls treated for anorexia nervosa in an adolescent unit operating a strict refeeding programme with hospital stay averaging six months. Outcome at three-year follow-up (using Morgan's General Outcome categories) was good for ten girls (48 per cent), intermediate for four (19 per cent) and poor for five (24 per cent). Two girls were unclassified; one was diagnosed as manic depressive psychosis and the other as bulimia nervosa. An interesting finding is the lack of separation from parents at long-term follow-up. The relevance of the findings to the particular treatment approach and provision of future services is discussed.