A brief examination of treatment outcomes in higher levels of care for individuals with eating disorders across age groups

Date:

Journal: European Eating Disorders Review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3054

Authors:
Renee D. Rienecke, PhD, FAEDPhilip S. Mehler, MD, FACP, FAED, CEDSAlan Duffy, MSDaniel Le Grange, PhD, FAEDDan V. Blalock, PhD

  • Eating Disorders

Objective

Although eating disorders (EDs) occur throughout the lifespan, little research has been conducted with midlife/older adults, particularly those in higher levels of care (HLOC). The current study examined outcomes among 2009 patients with EDs receiving HLOC treatment at a large multisite facility between January 2020 and June 2022, across different age groups (ages <18, 18–25, 26–39 and ≥40). It was hypothesised that patients aged 40+ would exhibit less improvement on measures of ED psychopathology and depression than other age groups.

Method

Participants completed the eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at admission and discharge.

Results

Changes for all outcomes from admission to discharge were statistically significant at p < 0.001 across all age groups. Changes in the EDE-Q Restraint subscale were significantly less in patients ages 26–39 than in patients ages 18–25 (p < 0.01). Changes in PHQ-9 were significantly greater in patients ages 40+ than patients ages 18–25 (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Contrary to hypotheses, patients ages 40+ did not show worse outcomes than younger patients, and showed greater improvements in depression than young adults. The therapeutic needs of midlife/older adults with EDs may be favourably met by a HLOC regimen as described in this study.

https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3054

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