Læknablaðið - 15.12.2010, Page 17

FRÆÐIGREINAR
RANNSÓKN
Anorexia nervosa in psychiatric units in lceland 1983-2008, incidence of
admissions, psychiatric comorbidities and mortality
Objective: Information is scarce concerning the incidence
of anorexia nervosa (AN) in psychiatric facilities in lceland.
The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of
admissions, comorbidity and mortality of patients who
were admitted to psychiatric units in lceland, diagnosed
with AN in 1983-2008.
Material and methods: The study is retrospective. 140
medical records with an AN or atypical eating disorder
diagnosis according to the ICD-9 and ICD-10 were
reviewed. Final sample was 84 patients with confirmed AN
diagnosis.
Results: Five men and 79 women were admitted to a
psychiatric inpatient ward for the first time diagnosed with
AN. Average age was 18.7 years. Incidence of admissions
for both sexes in the first part of the study period (1983-
1995) was 1.43/100.000 persons/year, 11-46 years old,
but in the second part (1996-2008) 2.91. The increase
was statistically significant (RR=2.03 95% Cl 1.28-3.22)
and can mainly be explained by an increased incidence
of admissions to the children- and adolescent psychiatric
wards (CAW). Mortality of women was 2/79 (2.5%) and
standard mortality rate 6.25. The average length of stay
was 97 days, 67.3 days in adult units and 129.7 days in
CAW (p<0.05). In the study period 51 patients (60.7%)
were only admitted once. One patient had compulsory
admission on his first admission but ten (11.9%) had at
some point compulsory admission. The body mass index
increased in average from admission to discharge from
15.3 to 17.5 kg/m2. A correlation was found between self
harm and suicide attempts and compulsory admissions.
Conclusion: The study revealed an increased incidence
between periods. This might reflect a real increase of AN in
the society. Mortality rate was lower than expected.
Sigurdardottir A, Palsson SP, Thorsteinsdottir G.
Anorexia nervosa in psychiatric units in lceland 1983-2008, incidence of admissions, psychiatric comorbidities and mortality.
Icel Med J 2010; 96: 747-53
Key words: anorexia nervosa, psychiatric comorbidity, incidence, psychiatric admission, mortality.
Correspondence: Guðiaug Þorsteinsdóttir, gudtthor@tandspitaii.is
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Barst: 10. júní 2010, - samþykkt til birtingar: 12. október 2010
Hagsmunatengsl: Engin
LÆKNAblaðið 2010/96 753