[A 10-year follow-up of cases with anorexia first hospitalized in the Canton of Zürich].

Out of all 38 anorexia nervosa patients hospitalized for the first time in a private or state hospital for pediatrics, internal medicine or psychiatry in the Canton of Zurich during the period 1973-1975, 28 cases could be assessed 10 years later using a semistructured interview. Catamnestic data were categorized according to Morgan and Russel (1975) in a general outcome score and an average outcome score. Regarding somatic and psychosocial dimensions, 11% of the patients examined can be considered symptom-free, 71% improved and 14% unchanged. One patient (4%) had died from the sequelae of anorexia. 64% increased in weight, nevertheless more than half of the patients had disturbed eating behavior at the time of this catamnestic study. An equally frequent finding was considerable impairment of psychologic well-being chiefly reflected in anxiety and depression. The time necessary to attain the normal weight range had varied between a few months and 11 years. Of 8 variables often claimed to be prognostic in the literature on the course of anorexia nervosa, only a short duration of illness before hospitalization was shown to be relevant. The patients with good or medium outcome most often consider psychotherapy or a partner relationship a decisive factor in the favorable course of their eating problem.