Naturalistic Outcome of Family-Based Inpatient Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

Background: Outpatient family-based treatment (FBT) is the best-documented treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN), but research is scarce on FBT adapted to inpatient settings.

Aim: The naturalistic outcome of inpatient FBT for adolescent AN was investigated.

Methods: Thirty-seven (65%) of 57 patients who received inpatient FBT at a tertiary adolescent eating disorders (ED) unit participated in a follow-up interview (mean 4.5 ± 1.8, range 1-7 years) that assessed ED symptoms and general psychological functioning.

Results: A majority (65%) had achieved a normal body weight (body mass index ≥18.5). Thirty-six per cent (n = 12) were classified as fully recovered, as defined by body mass index ≥18.5, ED Examination Questionnaire global ≤2.5, and no binge eating/purging over past 3 months. Sixteen (43%) participants met criteria for one or more additional comorbid disorders.

Conclusion: Inpatient family-based therapy for AN may be a promising therapeutic approach for adolescents that fail to respond to outpatient treatment and should be investigated further. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.