Drop-out from adolescent and young adult inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa

We examined factors predictive of dropout from inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) among adolescents in a prospective study of 359 consecutive hospitalizations for AN (DSM-IV). Patients were assessed at admission (clinical, socio-demographic, and psychological data). Multivariate analyses were performed. Drop-out (i.e. leaving hospital before the target weight is achieved) occurred in 24% (n=86) of hospitalizations; in 42.3% (n=30) of the cases, dropout was initiated by the treatment team and in 58.6% (n=41) by the patients and/or their parents. 18.6% (16/86) occurred during the first half of the inpatient program. Frequency of drop-out was significantly higher when the patient was living with only one parent, had been hospitalized previously, had a lower BMI at admission and was over 18 at admission. These elements should draw the attention of the clinician, so that he/she can prepare hospitalization with patients presenting lower admission BMI, particularly by motivational interventions for a better therapeutic alliance, and by the deployment of intensive accompaniment of single parents. Further studies aiming to replicate these results, and including the evaluation of other clinical dimensions such as impulsivity and other personality traits, are needed to elucidate this important topic.