Mortality in eating disorders: A descriptive study
- 1 July 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Vol. 28 (1) , 20-26
- https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(200007)28:1<20::aid-eat3>3.0.co;2-x
Abstract
We report rates and causes of death for a cohort of 246 eating-disordered women and provide descriptive information on their eating disorder and comorbid diagnoses. Data on mortality were collected as part of a longitudinal study of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, now in its 11th year. Other data sources included death certificates, autopsy reports, relative interviews, and a National Death Index search. Seven deaths have occurred during the study, all among anorexic subjects with a history of binging and purging and with comorbid Axis I disorders. The crude mortality rate was 5.1%. The standardized mortality ratios for death (9.6) and suicide (58.1) were significantly elevated (p <. 001). Anorexia nervosa is associated with a substantial risk of death and suicide. Features correlated with fatal outcome are longer duration of illness, binging and purging, comorbid substance abuse, and comorbid affective disorders.Keywords
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