Patterns of care of anorexia nervosa.

Using a local Psychiatric Case Register we studied patterns of mental health care of patients with anorexia nervosa as the main diagnosis from 1974 to 1982. The incidence rate was 5.0 per year per 100,000 population and 37.1 per year per 100,000 females aged 15 to 24. The patients had an intensive pattern of care compared with other diagnostic groups. Using the national case register of inpatients we studied some characteristics of patients with anorexia nervosa. Patients with anorexia nervosa have a higher degree of education and more general education than average. Patients with anorexia nervosa only are younger, have a higher degree of education and more general education than patients with anorexia nervosa and another psychiatric disorder. The results suggest that in some cases we should consider anorexia nervosa as a symptom, not as a disease entity by itself.