The impact of weight normalization on quality of recovery in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Background: There is little agreement on what constitutes remission in anorexia nervosa.

Objective: This study compared the medical, psychological, and social status of 2 female populations previously treated for anorexia nervosa and differing in their achievement of normal weight.

Design: One hundred forty-one patients responded to a questionnaire documenting morphometric parameters, subjective perception of outcome, concerns about body shape and diet, and quality of familial, emotional, and professional life. Two groups were defined according to body mass index (BMI): normal (n = 69) with BMI > or = 18.5 kg/m(2), and subnormal (n = 72) with BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2). In addition, subgroups (21 in each category) were interviewed. An age-matched control population composed of 156 women, either students or Health Services employees, responded to a similar questionnaire.

Results: Only a minority of patients assessed themselves as recovered, and there was no statistically significant difference in perception of recovery between normal BMI and subnormal BMI groups (27.5% and 15.3%, respectively). As expected, underweight patients reported significantly more frequent purging behaviors, amenorrhea, recent hospitalization, and prolonged student status. In contrast, there were no significant differences in terms of pregnancy rate, psychiatric comorbidities, social integration, sexual activity, and self-assessment of professional and familial life. In comparison to control subjects, former anorexia patients with normalized BMI more frequently reported vomiting, fear of high-calorie foods, and treatment for depression.

Conclusions: These few long-term advantages observed after BMI normalization suggest that normalization of nutritional status remains an important target in anorexia nervosa. However, the persistence of psychological distress after nutritional recovery confirms that more effective treatments are needed that target long-term psychological recovery.