Anorexia nervosa: a survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous reports of the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of anorexia nervosa (AN). However, the life expectancy of AN, has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the average life expectancy of patients who are diagnosed with AN at various ages. METHODS: A survival analysis was performed using decision analysis software and mortality data for British Columbia, Canada from Statscan and the SMR for AN previously reported for British Columbia, Canada. RESULTS: The life expectancy of patients who are diagnosed with AN is displayed in Table 1 and Figure 2. For example, statistically, a woman who has had AN since 15 years of age is likely to live 25 years less than predicted for the normal population. DISCUSSION: Survival curves should be used to illustrate the loss of life in AN, to motivate patients and families, and to assist in legal arguments and requests for funding.