[Long-term evolution of anorexia nervosa: quantitative evaluation].

: Out of 50 patients with anorexia nervosa observed at Saint-Antoine's Hospital, Paris, between 1969 and 1979, 34 were examined in 1980-1981 or had answered a questionnaire. Intermediate (2/3 years) and long term (more than 4 years) outcome were estimated for 28 and 29 patients respectively, based upon 5 items groups, each of them assessed 0, 0,5 or 1: weight, menstruation, social family and sex adjustment, psychological state and attitude towards feeding. Data were available for intermediate and long-term outcome for 23 patients. Good results (score 0 to 1) were obtained more often in the long term (34,5 p. cent) than in the intermediate (14.3 p. cent) outcome (P less than 0.01). This improvement is related to better weight (P less than 0.05), social family and sex adjustment (P less than 0.01) and possibly menstruations. Others items haven't been changed by time. Poor results (score more than 3) represent also 34,5 p. cent of the cases and we grieve 3 deaths. Past 4 years there were no more changes in the outcome. Only initial weight loss is significantly correlated with long term outcome (P less than 0.01). Social class, age of onset previous weight, trigger circumstances, duration of illness before admission, number of physicians involved during the evolution . . . had no prognostic value. Anorexia nervosa appears as a severe disease, which long duration justified all our efforts.