Male anorexia nervosa patients in the long-term course of the disease

Despite an increasing number of studies on the long-term course of anorexia nervosa, male patients only play a subordinate role in the majority of investigations. Thus, one section of a more comprehensive study aimed at describing possible differences in the disease course of male and female patients. Total assessment after a mean of 12 years revealed a clearly increased mortality rate of more than 20% in 10 of the male patients examined (as well as 2 male anorexia nervosa patients with an additional physical condition). The male survivors had a better prognosis than the females patients. Male anorectics were in better physical condition than their female counterparts at the time of follow-up. On the Morgan Russell scale,food intake, psychosexual and social state showed a more favorable development in male than in female patients. Male patients had a more favorable course regarding psychosocial integration but a similar course as female patients regarding eating disorder symptoms. The results are discussed theoretically and clinically. Further studies with a larger random selection of patients should be carried out.