Patients that have been suffering from anorexia nervosa for an extended period of time are more likely to deal with health complications which have the potential to be fatal. Furthermore, the chronicity of the condition may indicate treatment resistance.

Kalamazoo College

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


- Longer duration of eating disorder
- Lower minimum post-pubertal BMI
- More hospitalizations
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- Diuretic use
- Self-induced vomiting
- Previous abortion(s)
- Pre-menarche onset of eating disorder
- Rumination

Anorexia Nervosa Predictive Factors of Mortality in Lifetime

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

Eating Disorder Duration and Anorexia Nervosa Outcomes

Using diuretics may exacerbate physical health issues resulting from severe anorexia nervosa as resulting dehydration can lead to potentially fatal electrolyte imbalances.

Diuretic Use and Anorexia Nervosa Outcomes

Severe anorexia nervosa patients who have previously attempted suicide are 2.6 times more likely to die within ten years of inpatient treatment than those with no history of suicide attempts. 

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