Clinical Characteristics Associated with Premature Termination from Outpatient Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa

AimThe literature on clinical characteristics associated with premature termination of treatment (PTT) is beset with conflicting and non-replicated findings. This study explores clinical characteristics potentially associated with PTT in a randomised controlled outpatient psychotherapy trial for anorexia nervosa (AN). MethodsParticipants were 56 women aged 17-40years with spectrum AN. The completer group (n=35) included those completing at least 15/20 planned sessions with the remainder of the sample comprising the PTT group (n=21). Variables examined included demographic factors, psychosocial functioning, psychiatric history, lifetime comorbidity, temperament and eating disorder characteristics. Logistic regression was used to examine significant variables. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to illustrate time taken to PTT. ResultsThe mean number of sessions in the PTT group was 8.1. Lower self-transcendence scores on the Temperament and Character Inventory were associated with PTT. ConclusionsRecognising and addressing personality factors have the potential to enhance retention in treatment. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.