Validation study on the child, adult, and parent version of the ARFID module 2.0 for the Eating Disorder Examination

Physical health complications in children and young people with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder with known acute and longstanding physical health complications in children and young people (CYP) and commonly presents to paediatricians.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the published literature on physical health complications in CYP with ARFID using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library was performed on 14 February 2024. Studies reporting physical health complications in CYP ≤25 years with ARFID were included. We pooled studies for meta-analysis comparing ARFID with healthy controls or anorexia nervosa (AN).

RESULTS

Of 9058 studies found in searches, we included 132 studies. We found evidence for low weight, nutritional deficiencies and low bone mineral density. CYP with ARFID can present across the weight spectrum; however, the majority of CYP with ARFID were within the healthy weight to underweight range. Most studies reported normal range heart rates and blood pressures in ARFID, but some CYP with ARFID do experience bradycardia and hypotension. CYP with ARFID had higher heart rates than AN (weighted mean difference: 12.93 bpm; 95% CI: 8.65 to 17.21; n=685); heterogeneity was high (I2: 81.33%).

CONCLUSION

There is a broad range of physical health complications associated with ARFID requiring clinical consideration. Many CYP with ARFID are not underweight yet still have complications. Less cardiovascular complications found in ARFID compared with AN may be related to chronicity.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022376866.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: recent advances in neurobiology and treatment

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by persistent insufficient nutritional and/or energy intake. ARFID, before referred to as "selective eating disorder", was introduced recently in the DSM-5 as a replacement for and expansion of the previous diagnosis. Individuals with ARFID may limit food variety and intake due to avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of the food or related to any adverse consequences of eating without the intention of losing weight and concerns of body image. The limited understanding of avoidant and restrictive eating poses challenges to effective treatment and management, impacting directly on the growth and development of children and adolescents. The ARFID neurobiological concept has not yet been clearly defined to clinical practice for nutritionists, thereby hindering screening and impeding the development of treatment recommendations. This narrative review provide useful practical information to consult the pathophysiology, the neurobiology, the clinical features, the assessment and the treatment for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge and management of this disorder.

Analysis of feeding and eating disorders in 191 children according to psychiatric or gastroenterological recruitment: The PEDIAFED cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The DSM-5 classification introduced new Feeding and Eating Disorders (FED) diagnostic categories, notably Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which, like other FED, can present psychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, paediatric clinical research that focuses on children below the age of 12 years remains scarce. The aim of this study was first to investigate the clinical features of FED in a cohort of children, second to compare them according to their recruitment (gastroenterology or psychiatry unit).

METHOD

This non-interventional retrospective cohort study analysed 191 patients in a French paediatric tertiary care centre (gastroenterology n = 100, psychiatry n = 91). The main outcome variables were clinical data (type of FED, BMI, nutritional support, chronic diseases, psychiatric comorbidities, sensory, sleep, language disorders, gastrointestinal complaints, adverse life events, family history). The outcome was defined by a Clinical Global Impression of Change-score.

RESULTS

FED diagnoses were ARFID (n = 100), Unspecified FED (UFED, n = 57), anorexia nervosa (AN, n = 33) and one pica/rumination. Mean follow-up was 3.28 years (SD 1.91). ARFID was associated with selective and sensory disorders (p < 0.001); they had more anxiety disorders than patients with UFED (p < 0.001). Patients with UFED had more chewing difficulties, language disorder (p < 0.001), and more FED related to chronic disease (p < 0.05) than patients with ARFID and AN. Patients with AN were female, underweight, referred exclusively to the psychiatrist, and had more depression than patients with ARFID and UFED (p < 0.001). The gastroenterology cohort included more UFED, while the psychiatry cohort included more psychiatric comorbidities (p < 0.001). A worse clinical outcome was associated with ARFID, a younger age at onset (p < 0.001), selective/sensory disorders and nutritional support (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ARFID and UFED children were diagnosed either by gastroenterologists or psychiatrists. Due to frequently associated somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, children with FED should benefit from a multidisciplinary assessment and care.

Autistic traits and ARFID-associated eating behaviors in preschoolers: Mediating effects of sensory processing patterns

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the association between autistic traits and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)-associated eating behaviors in preschool-age children and investigated whether this association was mediated by sensory processing patterns.

METHOD

A cross-sectional, parent-reported study was conducted between July 2022 and March 2023 among 503 preschoolers aged 4-6 years in China. Parents provided assessments of their children's autistic traits using the Social Responsiveness Scale, sensory processing patterns using the Short Sensory Profile 2, and ARFID-associated eating behaviors using the Nine Items ARFID Screen. The mediation model based on ordinary least squares regression was employed to test the mediating effects of sensory processing patterns between autistic traits and ARFID-associated eating behaviors.

RESULTS

The results indicated significant associations among autistic traits, ARFID-associated eating behaviors, and sensory processing patterns. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed that sensory processing patterns played a partial mediating role in the relationship between autistic traits and ARFID-associated eating behaviors. Specifically, autistic traits were observed to weaken ARFID-associated eating behaviors, particularly picky eating and poor appetite, through Registration, while simultaneously fostering them through Sensitivity and Avoiding.

DISCUSSION

Our study is limited to some extent by the inability to draw longitudinal conclusions from cross-sectional data. Nevertheless, it underscores the significance of early identification and intervention for food avoidance/restriction behaviors due to sensory processing abnormalities in children with heightened autistic traits. This proactive approach may contribute to mitigating ARFID-associated eating behaviors that might drive clinical symptoms of ARFID.

Birth-related, medical, and diagnostic characteristics in younger versus older children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

BACKGROUND

Although avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) presents the replacement and extension of feeding disorders of infancy and childhood, previous research into ARFID concentrated mainly on older patients. While birth-related characteristics play an etiologic role in feeding disorders, virtually nothing is known so far in ARFID. Therefore, the first aim of the study was to identify differences in birth-related characteristics in younger vs. older children with ARFID. Second, differences in physical and mental comorbidities, and third, diagnostic features between age groups were analysed.

METHODS

Among N = 51 in- and outpatient treatment-seeking patients, n = 23 patients aged 0-5 years (30% girls) and n = 28 patients aged 6-17 years (57% girls), with an interview-based diagnosis of ARFID were included. Data on the pre- and perinatal period and mental and physical comorbidities were derived from patients' medical records, while diagnostic criteria, main ARFID presentation, and sociodemographic variables were collected through diagnostic interview.

RESULTS

Significantly, younger patients with ARFID were born more often preterm and had more pre- and perinatal complications and a higher incidence of postnatal invasive procedures. Patients with ARFID aged 0-5 years presented significantly more physical comorbidities and conditions, especially congenital anomalies, while mental comorbidities, especially mood disorders, were significantly more common in patients with ARFID aged 6-17 years. No age differences were found for the distribution of diagnostic criteria and main ARFID presentation.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study which aimed to identify age-specific characteristics in patients with ARFID with potential relevance for diagnosis and treatment. Especially birth-related complications, including invasive procedures postnatally, may be associated with developing ARFID, highlighting the importance of a closer view on these potential risk factors of the disorder. Future research with longitudinal design and larger samples may allow more detailed information on further age-specific associations, symptom trajectories, and age-specific risk factors for ARFID.

Distribution and clinical comparison of restrictive feeding and eating disorders using ICD-10 and ICD-11 criteria

OBJECTIVE

Within the eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), diagnostic criteria for feeding and eating disorders were revised and new diagnoses including avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are classifiable; however, nothing is known about how these changes affect the prevalence of feeding and eating disorders. This study compared the distribution and clinical characteristics of restrictive feeding and eating disorders between ICD-10 and ICD-11.

METHOD

The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), its child version, and the EDE ARFID module were administered to N = 82 patients (0-17 years) seeking treatment for restrictive feeding and eating disorders and their parents. Clinical characteristics were derived from medical records, questionnaires, and objective anthropometrics.

RESULTS

The number of residual restrictive eating disorders (rrED) significantly decreased from ICD-10 to ICD-11 due to a crossover to full-threshold disorders, especially anorexia nervosa (AN) or ARFID. Patients reclassified to ICD-11 ARFID were younger, had an earlier age of illness onset, more restrictive eating behaviors, and tended to have more somatic comorbidities compared to those reclassified to ICD-11 AN. Patients with rrED according to both ICD-10 and ICD-11 were younger, had an earlier age of illness onset, less shape concern, and more somatic comorbidities than patients who were reclassified from ICD-10 rrED to ICD-11 AN or ARFID.

DISCUSSION

This study highlights the inclusive approach of ICD-11 criteria, paving the way for more targeted treatment, and ARFID's high clinical relevance. Future studies considering nonrestrictive feeding and eating disorders across the life span may allow further analyses on diagnostic crossover.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Changes in diagnostic criteria for restrictive eating disorders within the newly published ICD-11 led to an increase in full-threshold disorders, while the number of rrED was significantly lowered compared to ICD-10 criteria. The results thus highlight the diagnostic utility of ICD-11 criteria and may help providing adequate treatment to children and adolescents with rrED.

Self-reported expertise and confidence in diagnosing and treating avoidant restrictive food intake disorder among Swedish clinicians

OBJECTIVE

To assess self-reported knowledge and confidence regarding avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) diagnosis and treatment in Swedish clinicians from various disciplines.

METHOD

The study included 489 clinicians who attended educational lectures about ARFID. Participants responded to 20 ARFID-related questions and statements using the online audience engagement platform Mentimeter. Items assessed ARFID-related knowledge, education, and experience, as well as treatment methods offered to ARFID patients at clinicians' healthcare units.

RESULTS

We found predominantly correct responses to three basic knowledge-based items about ARFID. However, most participants (64.0%) reported never having received education about ARFID, and few participants reported feeling confident in their ability to diagnose (13.4%) and treat (10.7%) ARFID. Nearly half the sample reported either not knowing which ARFID treatments their unit offered (22.3%) or that no treatment was offered (21.3%).

CONCLUSION

Experience and confidence in diagnosing and treating ARFID are generally low in Swedish clinicians, and many individuals with ARFID do not receive treatment. We identify a pressing need for resources, clearer organisation, and structure, and for additional education and training opportunities for clinicians meeting individuals with ARFID.