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Comparison of outcome in hispanic and caucasian patients with anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Hiebert Kathleen A.,
Felice Marianne E.,
Wingard Deborah L.,
Munoz Rodrigo,
Ferguson James M.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(198809)7:5<693::aid-eat2260070514>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , ethnic group , medical record , psychiatry , medicine , retrospective cohort study , eating disorders , pediatrics , psychology , clinical psychology , surgery , sociology , anthropology
To determine if ethnicity constitutes a prognostic factor in the outcome of anorexia nervosa, a retrospective chart review was done comparing Hispanic and Caucasian patients with anorexia nervosa. Outcome was categorized as good, intermediate, or poor based on body weight and menstrual function. The cases for the study were drawn from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center admissions 1975–1984, UCSD Adolescent Medicine Clinic, and from the office records of two San Diego area psychiatrists who treat large numbers of patients with eating disorders. The cases consisted of 20 Caucasians and 10 Hispanics, ages 12–24. No statistical difference in outcome was found between the two ethnic groups. The demographic data of the Hispanic group was similar to the Anglo group. The limitations of the findings and potential biases of the study are discussed. We conclude that ethnicity per se does not appear to have a major influence on outcome in anorexia nervosa, but this topic merits further investigation.