Outcome of eating disorder patients treated in tertiary care

BACKGROUND: We assessed the outcome of eating disorder patients treated in a specialized treatment setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Register-based follow-up study of adults (n = 2 450, 95% women, age range 18-62 years). For each patient four background-matched controls were selected. RESULTS: The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 6.51 in anorexia, 2.97 in bulimia and 1.77 in BED. Autoimmune diseases were more common in patients than in controls. Bulimia and BED were associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk. Pregnancy and childbirth rates were lower among patients than among controls. CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders are associated with multiple health problems and increased mortality risk.