Characteristics of anorexia nervosa-related deaths in Norway (1992-2000): data from the National Patient Register and the Causes of Death Register

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 181 - 187
• Main Authors: Reas, D.L, Kjelsas, E, Heggestad, T, Eriksen, L, Nielsen, S, Gjertsen, F, Gotestam, K.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-04-2005; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anorexia; Anorexia nervosa; Anorexia Nervosa - mortality; Biological and medical sciences; Cause of Death; causes of death; data collection; dietary restriction; Eating behavior disorders; Eating disorders; epidemiological studies; Female; Humans; Male; medical history; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mortality; Norway - epidemiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Sex Distribution; Norway; Europe; Social environment; Human; Prevalence; causes of death; Mortality; Mental health; Sex; Anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; Eating disorder; Retrospective; Sociodemographic factor; Cause; Death; Diagnosis; Age; Comparative study; Public health
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.20104

Objective: This study investigated demographic and diagnostic characteristics of individuals whose medical record or death certificate indicated the presence of anorexia nervosa at the time of death. Method: Two national registers, the National Patient Register (NPR) and the Causes of Death Register (CODR), were examined in Norway for anorexia nervosa-related deaths occurring across a 9-year period (1992-2000). Results: The medical record or death certificate listed anorexia nervosa as a diagnosis or cause of death for 66 individuals. Rates of death were 6.46 and 9.93 per 100,000 deaths for the NPR and the CODR, respectively. A substantial percentage of deaths (43.9%) in both registers occurred at or above the age of 65 years. For the NPR, the mean age at the time of death was 61 years and 31% of deaths occurred among men. For the CODR, the mean age at the time of death was 49 years and 18% of deaths occurred among men. Discussion: Potential merits and shortcomings of assessing mortality rates using register-based data without linkage to a previously identified clinical sample are discussed.