Predictors of Positive Treatment Outcome in People With Anorexia Nervosa Treated in a Specialized Inpatient Unit: The Role of Early Response to Treatment

o investigate factors which predict positive treatment outcome in inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN), particularly the role of early treatment response. METHOD: 102 patients entering specialist inpatient treatment were assessed for eating disorder history, psychopathology and motivation to change. Predictive factors assessed were: early treatment response defined as weight increase of at least 0.5-1 kg/week during the first six weeks of treatment; admission BMI; onset age; chronicity; motivation to change; diagnosis; and previous hospitalization for AN. Positive treatment outcome was defined as achieving BMI 17.5 kg/m2 within an individual timeframe. RESULTS: Logistic regression indicated that patients were 18 times more likely to reach positive treatment outcome if they met NICE weight guidelines within the first six weeks of hospitalization. Higher admission BMI was also found to predict positive treatment outcome. DISCUSSION: Higher entry BMI and early weight gain predict positive treatment outcome in individuals receiving specialist AN inpatient treatment.