OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this article were to study the course and outcome of longstanding eating disorders (ED) 5 years after completing treatment and to identify subgroups of patients with different course and outcome. METHOD: A total of 77 patients with a mean age of 30 years were assessed at the beginning and end of in-patient therapy and at 1-, 2- and 5-year follow-up, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 90% who participated in the 5-year follow-up, 46 patients (61%) had improved, and 30 (39%) did not meet diagnostic criteria for an ED. Cluster analysis identified a group of patient with no improvement over time. CONCLUSION: Overall, the course is favourable, but a subgroup of patients with no improvement over time may need intensified treatment efforts. Copyright 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this article were to study the course and outcome of longstanding eating disorders (ED) 5 years after completing treatment and to identify subgroups of patients with different course and outcome. METHOD: A total of 77 patients with a mean age of 30 years were assessed at the beginning and end of in-patient therapy and at 1-, 2- and 5-year follow-up, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 90% who participated in the 5-year follow-up, 46 patients (61%) had improved, and 30 (39%) did not meet diagnostic criteria for an ED. Cluster analysis identified a group of patient with no improvement over time. CONCLUSION: Overall, the course is favourable, but a subgroup of patients with no improvement over time may need intensified treatment efforts. Copyright 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.