Drop-out rate in eating disorders: could it be a function of patient-therapist relationship?

The factors influencing drop-out in eating disorders (ED) are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether compliance is strongly related to the patient-therapist relationship. During 14 months all new patients affected by EDs referring to our Specialist Service Center, were assessed and followed up, they underwent EAT 40, EDI II, and computerized case history for ED. Moreover, we collected data from therapist using the GCI scale, and we recorded as the patient perceived his weight (PPW). We found that out of the 100 patients enrolled, 53 withdraw and when probability was predicted according to a digit model, it was not influenced by EDI-II subscales, age, sex, education, EAT-40 score, duration of the disorder and diagnosis while it significantly decreased when GCI scores increased and decreased when the PPW was altered. These results seem to confirm that some psychological factors related to patient-therapist relationship can play a key role for a stable and continuous therapeutic program.