Mortality and causes of death in eating disorders in Denmark 1970-1993: A case register study

Journal/Book: Int J Eating Disorder. 1999; 25: 605 Third Ave, New York, NY 10158-0012, USA. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 243-251.

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study is to describe mortality rates and causes of death for patient with eating disorders. Method: By means of record-linkage, the study includes all patients admitted and diagnosed as suffering from an eating disorder according to the ICD-8 classification system during the period 1970-1993 at any Danish psychiatric (since 1970) or somatic department (since 1977). The study includes 2,763 cases, of which 237 are males. Maximum follow-up time is 23 years and mean follow-up time is 10.3 years. Results: Crude mortality at follow-up is 8.4%. A significant excess mortality is demonstrated since the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of the total patient population is 6.69 (CI 5.68-7.83) and the highest rate ratio (RR) of 14.92 (CI 9.66-22.03) relates to women aged 25-29. Discussion: The study document a significant excess mortality among eating-disordered patients.

Note: Article Emborg C, Aarhus Univ Hosp, Psychiat Hosp Aarhum, Inst Basic Psychiat Res, Dept Psychiat Demog, Skovagervej 2, DK-8240 Risskov, DENMARK

Keyword(s): anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; mortality; cause of death; SMR; case register study; record linkage; ANOREXIA-NERVOSA; LONG-TERM; FOLLOW-UP; BULIMIA-NERVOSA

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