Anorexia nervosa patients who are admitted at an older age may be more vulnerable to fatal complications as they tend to have been suffering from the illness for a longer time period, increasing the likelihood and severity of physiological symptoms. Furthermore, age-related symptoms may exacerbate such complications. 

Kalamazoo College

Follow-up with a cohort of female anorexia nervosa patients who underwent inpatient treatment indicate that the following factors being present upon admission predicts greater mortality compared to other severe anorexia nervosa patients: 

- Older age
- Higher Eating Disorder index (EDI) score
- Lower desired Body Mass Index (BMI)

Anorexia Nervosa Predictive Factors of Mortality at Admission

Huas, C., Caille, A., Godart, N., Foulon, C., Pham‐Scottez, A., Divac, S., Dechartres, A., Lavoisy, G., Guelfi, J. D., Rouillon, F., & Falissard, B. (2011). Factors predictive of ten‐year mortality in severe anorexia nervosa patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 123(1), 62-70. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01627.x

Factors Predictive of Ten-Year Mortality in Severe Anorexia Nervosa Patients

Patients who score higher on the Eating Disorder Index (EDI) have more severe symptomatology and greater exposure to risk factors for disordered eating, leaving them more vulnerable to negative outcomes.

Eating Disorder Index (EDI) Scores and Anorexia Nervosa Outcomes

Age at Admission and Anorexia Nervosa Outcomes

Severe anorexia nervosa patients who report a lower desired BMI by the end of treatment are at increased risk of mortality. The desire to maintain a low body weight may indicate greater body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptomatology, in addition to reflecting treatment resistance and greater vulnerability to dropping out of treatment. 

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