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Clinical presentation of anorexia nervosa in males: 24 new cases
Author(s) -
Sharp Cliff W.,
Clark Stella A.,
Dunan Julie R.,
Blackwood Douglas H. R.,
Shapiro Colin M.
Publication year - 1994
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(199403)15:2<125::aid-eat2260150204>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , vomiting , psychology , presentation (obstetrics) , population , age of onset , alcohol abuse , anorexia , psychiatry , eating disorders , weight loss , pediatrics , obesity , medicine , surgery , environmental health , disease
As part of a larger prognostic study of anorexia nervosa, clinical features at presentation of 24 males with anorexia are described, and compared with a female group matched for date of admission. Data were extracted from the original case records and follow‐up interview. The study confirms the view that males display the classical syndrome of anorexia nervosa, but differs from previous studies in several respects. Age at onset (mean 18.6 years) and at presentation (mean 20.2 years) is later, with a mean duration of illness at presentation of only 1.6 years. A premorbid tendency to obesity is confirmed; maximum weight loss during the illness amounted to 42% matched population mean weight (MPMW), and weight at presentation was 78.5% MPMW, somewhat higher than the female group. In keeping with earlier studies, hinging and vomiting were noted commonly, in around half of sufferers, but laxative abuse was less frequent and excessive exercising more frequent in males. Depressive and obsessional symptoms are common in both groups, and a strong family history of affective disorders and alcohol abuse was noted in over one third.© 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.