The significance of subclassification in anorexia nervosa: a comparative study of clinical features in 141 patients

Within a sample of 141 female anorexia nervosa patients comparative investigations were carried out between three subgroups: dieters, binge-eaters, and vomiters/purgers. A number of significant differences were found, especially with respect to age and duration of illness, previous treatment failures, and long-term outcome. The results appear to support the authors' view that the static idea of anorexia nervosa as a unitary illness should be abandoned and replaced by a dynamic dimensional model according to which, in the course of time, changes may occur in the clinical picture of dysorectic patients.