Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating behaviour that results in altered consumption of food and that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning. Treatment of eating disorders is complex and challenging and sometimes patient's hospitalization is needed. The Santa Maria Hospital's Eating Disorders Unit is a specialized multidisciplinary team with long experience in the treatment of such disorders.

To present and discuss the results of the inpatient treatment program for patients with eating disorders held at the Santa Maria Hospital's Eating Disorders Unit.

review of clinical files of all patients hospitalised at Santa Maria Hospital's Eating Disorders Unit during a twelve month period and statistical analysis of data collected using SPSS program.

The sample included mainly female patients with anorexia nervosa with a significantly low body weight. In this presentation we show the results of the statistical analysis performed for sample characterization (both demographic and clinical variables), evaluation of patient's clinical outcome and features associated with good or poor prognosis.

The results of this study show the importance of inpatient care especially for patients with anorexia nervosa with a significantly low body weight.