Anorexia nervosa: service consumption and outcome of local patients in the Leicester service

Abstract

Aims and MethodA retrospective case note study provided data on the service consumption and outcome of treatment for a cohort of adult anorexia nervosa sufferers treated in a specialised secondary service.ResultsA cohort of 106 patients was studied. Only just over a quarter were ever admitted. Of a subset of 78 patients, first seen before 1994, nearly one-fifth failed to engage in treatment. Those who were admitted spent on average a total of 10 months in hospital, were in touch for four years and had over 100 therapy sessions. The majority who were treated solely as out-patients remained in touch with the service on average for over two years.Clinical ImplicationsServices for anorexia nervosa sufferers need to plan for prolonged contact with their patients and high rates of service consumption.