What is OSFED? The predicament of classifying 'other' eating disorders

The transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 relaxed diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and recognised a third eating disorder, binge eating disorder. However, a large proportion of cases remain in the ill-defined category of 'other specified feeding and eating disorders'. We sought to investigate the utility of a proposed solution to classify this group further, subdividing based on the dominant clinical feature: binge eating/purging or restraint. Cluster analysis failed to identify clusters in a treatment-seeking sample based on symptoms of restraint, binge eating, purging and over-evaluation of shape and weight. Further investigation of this highly heterogeneous group is required.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health services

The COVID-19 pandemic and government lockdown restrictions have had an impact on children and young people worldwide. In this editorial, we explore how and why referrals to UK children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have changed during the pandemic and summarise the emerging data on the potential reasons behind this.

Incidence and outcomes of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic

There are concerns that eating disorders have become commoner during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using the electronic health records of 5.2 million people aged under 30, mostly in the USA, we show that the diagnostic incidence was 15.3% higher in 2020 overall compared with previous years (relative risk 1.15, 95% CI 1.12-1.19). The relative risk increased steadily from March 2020 onwards, exceeding 1.5 by the end of the year. The increase occurred solely in females, and primarily related to teenagers and anorexia nervosa. A higher proportion of patients with eating disorders in 2020 had suicidal ideation (hazard ratio HR = 1.30, 1.16-1.47) or attempted suicide (HR = 1.69, 1.21-2.35).

Defining and predicting service utilisation in young adulthood following childhood treatment of an eating disorder

BACKGROUND

Eating disorder services are often separated into child and adolescent eating disorder services (CAEDSs) and adult eating disorder services (AEDSs). Most patients in CAEDSs present with first-episode illness of short duration, which with appropriate treatment, have a good prognosis. However, some individuals receive further treatment as adults. Little is known about service utilisation in adulthood following childhood/adolescent treatment of an eating disorder.

AIMS

This study aims (a) to estimate the proportion of patients in a CAEDS who use mental health services as young adults, (b) to delineate service utilisation following treatment in CAEDSs and (c) to identify factors in CAEDSs that predict service utilisation in young adulthood.

METHOD

A consecutive cohort of 322 patients (aged 13-17 years) seen in a CAEDS in the UK over a 5-year period were included in this audit. Data regarding their use of UK-wide adult mental health services as young adults (i.e. when aged 18-25) were extracted from local and national hospital records.

RESULTS

A total of 68.3% of CAEDS patients received no mental health treatment as young adults. Although 13% of people seen in a CAEDS had brief eating disorder treatment as young adults, 10% received longer/or more intensive eating disorder treatment. Overall, 10.8% transitioned directly to an AEDS and 7.6% were re-referred following discharge from CAEDS. In our sample, older age and increased use of CAEDSs predicted increased eating disorder treatment in young adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that most people seen in CAEDSs do not receive further mental health treatment as young adults. Several features in CAEDSs distinguish mental health service utilisation in young adulthood, which were identified clinically and could be targeted during treatment.

Care experiences of young people with eating disorders and their parents: qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Perspectives of young people with eating disorders and their parents on helpful aspects of care should be incorporated into evidence-based practice and service design, but data are limited.AimsTo explore patient and parent perspectives on positive and negative aspects of care for young people with eating disorders.

METHOD

Six online focus groups with 19 young people aged 16-25 years with existing or past eating disorders and 11 parents.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified three key themes: the need to (a) shift from a weight-focused to a more holistic, individualised and consistent care approach, with a better balance in targeting psychological and physical problems from an early stage; (b) improve professionals' knowledge and attitude towards patients and their families at all levels of care from primary to 'truly specialist'; (c) enhance peer and family support.

CONCLUSIONS

Young people and parents identified an array of limitations in approaches to care for young people with eating disorders and raised the need for change, particularly a move away from a primarily weight-focused treatment and a stronger emphasis on psychological needs and individualised care.Declaration of interestNone.