New study suggests most people recover well from anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is twice as common as previously thought, Finnish researcher claims

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The rate of recovery from anorexia nervosa is better than what has been previously assumed.
      Up to 70 per cent of the sufferers recover from the disorder by young adulthood, a fresh Finnish study establishes.
     
Previously it has been thought that less than half of those afflicted with the condition get well. This is because previous studies have only included patients who have received hospital treatment.
      Researcher Anna Keski-Rahkonen from the University of Helsinki's Department of Public Health, also explains that anorexia is twice as common as has been previously assumed.
      Based on patients who sought hospital treatment, it was calculated that about one per cent of women suffered from anorexia. The new study, however, establishes the percentage at 2.2. If the milder versions of the condition are included, up to five per cent of Finnish women are troubled by the disorder.
      According to Keski-Rahkonen, the previous studies have missed those anorectics who beat the condition in a couple of years without having to resort to hospital treatment.
      "When most of the patients have remained outside the healthcare system, we have never really been aware of how they are coping."
      In the study, those afflicted with anorexia nervosa were targeted from a sample of 5,000 twins. A questionnaire was used in order to detect even the milder cases. The study found that recovering from anorexia usually takes around three years.
      Keski-Rahkonen claims that also in the worldwide perspective the published study is unique, for never before have the recovery times been looked into in a similar fashion.
     
In Keski-Rahkonen’s opinion one huge problem is that those suffering from anorexia are not sufficiently treated in Finland. Only around half of the cases are recognised by the public health service.
      "This is an alarmingly low rate. Of the atypical anorexia cases and bulimia, only one out of three cases is recognised", Keski-Rahkonen explains.
      In the nationwide study it was also noticed that access to treatment is inadequate and that many municipalities lack a functioning non-institutional care system.
     
"The treatment systems are best organised in the capital area, but in central and northern Finland people may have to travel considerable distances in order to receive treatment."
      In Helsinki’s Lapinlahti Hospital there is an eating disorder clinic, but the patient queues have become terribly long. Some people may have to wait for a year before entering treatment, during which time their health can naturally deteriorate dramatically.
      "Of the material that we studied, some of the most severe cases were those that fell outside the scope of health services."
      The cause of anorexia remains unknown, and there are no extremely effective treatments available, Keski-Rahkonen says. The present understanding is, however, that receiving treatment will lower the mortality rate.
      The study by the twin research unit of the University of Helsinki's Department of Public Health will be published in the respected American Journal of Psychiatry.


Links:
  Anorexia nervosa (Wikipedia)

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