Good things come to those who wait for. An old adage that could apply to eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are rather known to be difficult to treat and especially to cure. Previous studies gave cure rates of less than half of patients. According to the authors of a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, it is necessary to analyze the recovery in the longer term.
Between 1987 and 1991, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital recruited 136 women with anorexia nervosa, and 110 patients with bulimia. They followed the evolution of their disease every six to twelve months for ten years, then between 20 and 25 years later. At the end of the first decade, 31.4% of anorexias and 68.2% of bulimias were cured. On the other hand, after 22 years on average, 62.8% of anorexic women had recovered their health, bulimia remaining stable.
Stable healing over time
Most people cured in ten years – that is to say, who have had no symptoms for at least a year – remain so after 20 years. The authors of the study specify that they wish to study the causes of the few relapses observed. The next stage of their work will also consist in analyzing the neurobiological bases of these eating disorders in recently diagnosed adolescent girls.
The authors of the study are optimistic for the management of these diseases: “Our current data suggest that early improvements in symptoms increase the chances of a long-term cure and that the changes continue even after a long period of time, which can motivate patients to commit to their treatment”.
Also to read
The brains of people with anorexia ignore hunger
The mother of an anorexic girl calls for help
Anorexia: the pleasure of losing weight?
