A prospective study of 133 patients with anorexia nervosa

Abstract

One hundred and thirty-three patients with anorexia nervosa have been treated in a prospective study from 1958 to 1976. The doctor and the patient alone formed the therapeutic team, the doctor playing the role as an instructor in the pathophysiology of hunger without discussing social or psychological problems. At follow-up 58% of the patients were grouped as 'good', and 28% as 'intermediate', figures which are in accordance with those obtained from other authors. Fourteen per cent of the patients were grouped as 'poor'. None of the patients died. That therapists with different attitudes to treatment may obtain fairly similar results strengthens our view of a strong tendency to spontaneous recovery in anorexia nervosa. The outlook for patients with a short history of anorexia nervosa seems good.