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Dropout is a multifactorial phenomenon with deep clinical consequences: the recognition of possible risk factors may support the choice of specific therapeutic strategies to improve the treatment of ED and its outcomes.

IntroductionDrop-out from treatment for Eating Disorders is increasing (Campbell; 2007), and it is a risk factor for relapse and more chronic and severe course of the illness (Fassino et al.; 2009). Drop-out can be caused by interaction of concurrent, individual, familiar ad environmental factors (Sly; 2009).Aim of the studyTo examine possible risk factors of drop-out from inpatient treatment for eating disorders.Materials and methodsThe sample included 41 patients who voluntarily left the treatment before completion (’droppers’) and 88 patients who completed it (’completers’), in the period between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2009 at Villa Maria Luigia Hospital (Monticelli Terme, PR, Italy). Patients were administered 2 self-report questionnaires and 3 psychometric tests: Eating Disorders Questionnaire, Predisposing, bringing on and maintaining risk factors for eating disorders, EDI-II, BUT, SCL-90.ResultsDroppers appear to be more aggressive (p = 0.022), get worse scholastic results (p = 0.016) and have less friendships and less social interaction (p = 0.021). Parental break-up (p = 0.015), moving house (p = 0.006), father's death (p = 0.005), abortition (p = 0.040), father's alcohol abuse (p = 0.011) and a mother who suffers of eating disorder (p = 0.008) are more frequent in droppers than completers. Catholic religion seems to be a protective factor from drop-out (p = 0.005).ConclusionDrop-out is a multifactor phenomenon; identification of risk factors can improve treatment strategies and outcome.

Introduction: The Social Skill Training is structured as a cognitive-behavioral therapy for rehabilitation plans whereby the patient can develop and recover social skills. Aim: To verify the effects of a literary workshop for increase assertiveness in patients with eating disorders. Methods: Thirty-two patients consequently admitted to the Ward for Eating Disorders at the Private Clinic "Villa Maria Luigia" in the North of Italy were recruited in the study, and all of them agreed to take part in it. Of the 32 patients, 8 were randomly assigned to treatment and 24 to care as usual, being the difference between treatment and care as usual only represented by the literary workshop. The Rathus Assertiveness Schedule and Verbal Fluency Test (phonemic and semantic) was administered to all patients in the first and last week of hospitalization. The literary workshop consists in 16 weekly 45-minute group sessions. Issues of expressiveness through the use of writing are addressed during the sessions. Results: A significant improvement of semantic skills (t=-5.60; p< 0.01 vs. t=1.43; p=0.17), phonetic skills (t=-3.66; p< 0.01 vs. t=1.35; p=0.19) and assertiveness (t=4.47; p< 0.01 vs. t=0.94; p=0.93) was registered in the literary workshop group. Conclusions: Effectiveness of the literary workshop in a rehabilitation program for patients suffering from eating disorders is suggested: improved communication and language skills might have a positive and significant impact on patients' levels of assertiveness.