Inpatient cognitive behaviour therapy for anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial

Unveiling Severity Indicators for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Treatment Success: DSM-5 Versus ICD-11 Versus Drive for Thinness

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes associated with three severity indicators-DSM-5 for anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), ICD-11 for AN, and drive for thinness (DT) for AN and BN-within a treatment-seeking population.

METHOD

A total of 628 female participants diagnosed with either AN (n = 266; mean age = 26.71) or BN (n = 362; mean age = 29.49) were recruited from an ED unit. Upon admission, participants were classified based on DSM-5 (AN and BN) and ICD-11 severity categories. They underwent CBT-E comprehensive manualised programs, according to ED subtype, and were categorised into 'full remission', 'partial remission', 'non-remission' or 'drop-out' based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at discharge.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found only for ICD-11 AN severity groups (p = 0.03, Cramer's V = 0.18), with 'dangerously low BMI' associated with poorer outcomes than 'significantly low BMI'. No other significant relationships were found with DSM-5 or DT severity groups.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals the limitation of using a single severity indicator and emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive assessment to capture the complexities of AN and BN. Future research should also evaluate the validity of these severity measures across various factors, including biological correlates and psychopathology.

Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy-Eating Disorders (MIT-ED) Versus CBT-E for Adults: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

There is an urgent need for psychological therapies in Eating Disorders (ED) that target both eating disorder symptoms and broader aspects of psychological functioning, such as personality disorder (PD) features. We integrated Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, developed for treating PDs, with existing CBT techniques for eating disorders (MIT-ED). This psychotherapy targets aspects of ED that are not included in the transdiagnostic CBT-E model, specifically poor metacognition and interpersonal schemas.

METHOD

A proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial (RCT) recruited 21 individuals with non-underweight ED (Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and ED Not Otherwise Specified) to 20 individual psychotherapy sessions of MIT-ED or CBT-E. Outcomes addressed ED-related characteristics and PD diagnosis. Measures were taken at baseline, 10 sessions, 20 sessions, and 3 months after treatment completion.

RESULTS

MIT-ED had excellent retention to treatment with 1 drop-out compared to 6 for CBT-E. Descriptive analyses using completer analyses (n = 14) indicated that both MIT-ED and CBT-E resulted in reduced ED symptoms, impairment, and binge eating, and improved ED-related attitudes, although there was no difference between treatment arms. MIT-ED achieved more remissions from PD diagnosis.

DISCUSSION

MIT-ED appeared to be a promising effective treatment for non-underweight ED. If replicated in larger samples, it would offer an alternative approach to enhancing recovery in ED.

Understanding Personalized Dynamics in Eating Disorders: A Dynamic Time Warp Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To enhance our understanding of the processes of change and the interaction of symptoms, we applied a relatively novel method known as Dynamic Time Warp to data from low-threshold internet-based interventions directed at decreasing eating disorder (ED) symptoms and increasing help-seeking.

METHOD

Utilizing data from the Featback study, we examined how various factors such as ED psychopathology, binge eating, vomiting, laxative use, BMI, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, social support, well-being, and health-related quality of life interplayed over a period of 14 months among 355 individuals at six different time points. Moreover, we explored which symptoms exerted a significant temporal relationship on others (with high out-strength) and which were most affected by other symptoms (with high in-strength).

RESULTS

The sample included participants with different types of ED symptoms and high levels of severity. On a group level, we identified four dimensions with similar within-person trajectories: (1) Depression, anxiety, ED psychopathology, health-related quality of life, and self-rated health; (2) binge eating and vomiting; (3) self-efficacy and social support; (4) BMI, well-being, and laxative use. Directed analyses revealed that social support and anxiety had the highest significant out-strength (i.e., temporal lead), indicating their changes preceded those of other factors, while laxative use and well-being were among those that mostly lagged behind those of other items (with significant in-strength).

DISCUSSION

Depressive and anxiety symptom severity were strongly connected to ED severity. Social support may be an important factor to address first as it may drive other factors and symptoms in patients with EDs.

Family therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders in children and adolescents in routine clinical care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Family therapy for eating disorders (ED) is well-established and represents the treatment choice for ED in children and adolescents according to guidelines, with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a second line treatment. There is limited knowledge about how these treatments work in routine clinical care. The goal of the present meta-analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of family therapy and CBT for various EDs in children and adolescents when carried out in routine clinical care. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase OVID, and PsycINFO were searched for articles published until December 2023. The outcome of family therapy and CBT, methodological quality, risk of bias, and moderators of treatment outcome were examined and benchmarked by meta-analytically comparing with ED efficacy studies. Forty-four effectiveness studies comprising 3251 family therapy or CBT patients were included. Large to very large within-group effect sizes (ES) were found for ED-psychopathology (0.80) and weight measures for AN (1.64) at post treatment. The attrition rate was 15%. Risk of bias was considerable. Moderate to large ES were found for family therapy and CBT, respectively. The benchmarking analysis showed that effectiveness studies had comparable ESs to efficacy studies (0.80 and 0.84 for the ED-psychopathology at post treatment). The findings support family therapy and CBT for ED in children and adolescents as effective treatments when delivered in routine clinical care, with effects comparable with those found in efficacy studies. The evidence needs to be interpreted with caution because of the risk of bias in a high proportion of studies.PROSPERO [CRD42023441794].

Applying integrated enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (I-CBTE) to severe and longstanding eating disorders (SEED) Paper 2: An in-depth case study for clinicians

BACKGROUND

This case study examines the application of Integrated Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBTE) for a patient with severe, longstanding anorexia nervosa and multiple comorbidities, including organic hallucinosis, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and severe self-harm. Such complex presentations often result in patients falling between services, which can lead to high chronicity and increased mortality risk. Commentaries from two additional patients who have recovered from severe and longstanding anorexia nervosa are included.

CASE STUDY

The patient developed severe anorexia nervosa and hallucinosis after a traumatic brain injury in 2000. Despite numerous hospitalisations and various psychotropic medications in the UK and France, standard treatments were ineffective for 17 years. However, Integrated Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (I-CBTE) using a whole-team approach and intensive, personalised psychological treatment alongside nutritional rehabilitation proved effective.

METHODS

In this paper, we describe the application of the I-CBTE model for individuals with severe, longstanding, and complex anorexia nervosa, using lived experience perspectives from three patients to inform clinicians. We also outline the methodology for adapting the model to different presentations of the disorder.

OUTCOMES

The patient achieved and maintained full remission from her eating disorder over the last 6 years, highlighting the benefit of the I-CBTE approach in patients with complex, longstanding eating disorder histories. Successful treatment also saved in excess of £360 k just by preventing further hospitalisations and not accounting for the improvement in her quality of life. This suggests that this method can improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

This case study, with commentaries from two patients with histories of severe and longstanding anorexia nervosa, provides a detailed description of the practical application of I-CBTE for patients with severe and longstanding eating disorders with complex comorbidities, and extensive treatment histories. This offers hope for patients and a framework for clinicians to enhance existing treatment frameworks, potentially transforming the trajectory of those traditionally deemed treatment resistant.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We advocate the broader integration of CBT for EDs into specialist services across the care pathway to help improve outcomes for patients with complex eating disorders. Systematic training and supervision for multidisciplinary teams in this specialised therapeutic approach is recommended. Future research should investigate the long-term effectiveness of I-CBTE through longitudinal studies. Patient feedback on experiences of integrated models of care such as I-CBTE is also needed. In addition, systematic health economics studies should be conducted.

Anorexia Nervosa Across the Lifespan: A Review of Recent Literature

In this review, the authors provide an update on the understanding of anorexia nervosa (AN) across the lifespan. Focusing on key pieces of literature from the past 5 years, this review summarizes recent updates to DSM-5 within the domain of AN, including the addition of a new AN diagnosis: atypical anorexia. Additional sections covered in this review include improvements in the epidemiological understanding of AN across the developmental spectrum, treatment approaches that have been established as gold standard as well as new directions recently explored in treatment, and recent advancements in the biopsychosocial underpinnings of AN. Altogether, although this review captures several advancements in the field's overall conceptualization of AN, several key areas of treatment and diagnostic capacity continue to require additional focus and research.

Adaptive design trials in eating disorder research: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review sought to map the breadth of literature on the use of adaptive design trials in eating disorder research.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, Emcare, Econlit, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Articles were included if they reported on an intervention targeting any type of eating disorder (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders), and employed the use of an adaptive design trial to evaluate the intervention. Two independent reviewers screened citations for inclusion, and data abstraction was performed by one reviewer and verified by a second.

RESULTS

We identified five adaptive design trials targeting anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder conducted in the USA and Australia. All employed adaptive treatment arm switching based on early response to treatment and identified a priori stopping rules. None of the studies included value of information analysis to guide adaptive design decisions and none included lived experience perspectives.

DISCUSSION

The limited use of adaptive designs in eating disorder trials represents a missed opportunity to improve enrolment targets, attrition rates, treatment outcomes and trial efficiency. We outline the range of adaptive methodologies, how they could be applied to eating disorder research, and the specific operational and statistical considerations relevant to adaptive design trials.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Adaptive design trials are increasingly employed as flexible, efficient alternatives to fixed trial designs, but they are not often used in eating disorder research. This first scoping review identified five adaptive design trials targeting anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder that employed treatment arm switching adaptive methodology. We make recommendations on the use of adaptive design trials for future eating disorder trials.

Inpatient treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa: a systematic review of literature

PURPOSE

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder for which hospitalization is frequently needed in case of severe medical and psychiatric consequences. We aim to describe the state-of-the-art inpatient treatment of AN in real-world reports.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on the major medical databases, spanning from January 2011 to October 2023, was performed, using the keywords: "inpatient", "hospitalization" and "anorexia nervosa". Studies on pediatric populations and inpatients in residential facilities were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies (3501 subjects) were included, and nine themes related to the primary challenges faced in hospitalization settings were selected. About 81.48% of the studies detailed the clinical team, 51.85% cited the use of a psychotherapeutic model, 25.93% addressed motivation, 100% specified the treatment setting, 66.67% detailed nutrition and refeeding, 22.22% cited pharmacological therapy, 40.74% described admission or discharge criteria and 14.81% follow-up, and 51.85% used tests for assessment of the AN or psychopathology. Despite the factors defined by international guidelines, the data were not homogeneous and not adequately defined on admission/discharge criteria, pharmacological therapy, and motivation, while more comprehensive details were available for treatment settings, refeeding protocols, and psychometric assessments.

CONCLUSION

Though the heterogeneity among the included studies was considered, the existence of sparse criteria, objectives, and treatment modalities emerged, outlining a sometimes ambiguous report of hospitalization practices. Future studies must aim for a more comprehensive description of treatment approaches. This will enable uniform depictions of inpatient treatment, facilitating comparisons across different studies and establishing guidelines more grounded in scientific evidence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, systematic review.

Severe enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) treatment options and their effectiveness: a review of literature

INTRODUCTION

 For nearly 20% of patients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), the eating disorder (ED) is prolonged and becomes long-lasting. It has been reported that patients diagnosed with Severe Enduring Anorexia Nervosa (SE-AN) have worse ED symptoms, higher rates of lifetime hospitalization, and lower psychosocial well-being compared to patients with shorter disease duration.

OBJECTIVES

 This review aims to describe the treatments proposed to date and their effectiveness on SE-AN-related outcomes.

METHODS

 We conducted a PubMed search for studies addressing the issue of treatment approach to SE-AN adults, that were published between 2003 and 2023, peer-reviewed, written in the English language, and available in full-text. Next, we inductively created relevant macro-themes by synthesizing the data from the included articles.

RESULTS

 Of 251 PubMed studies, 25 articles were considered for data extraction, all published between 2003 and 2022. We identified three macro-themes. The first macro-theme, "Psychotherapy", mostly takes into consideration treatment effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Various reports determined its greater effectiveness compared to Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM), and one study proved that outpatient CBT is a valid alternative to hospitalization. The second one involves "Pharmacological Treatments". Research on dronabinol, a synthetic orexigenic cannabinoid, antipsychotics (in particular, olanzapine and haloperidol), and ketamine showed some mixed results regarding the often-complementary areas of weight gain and improvement in ED-related symptoms. Regarding the third macro-theme, "Brain Stimulation Therapies," such as Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), we found promising results in improving ED-related psychological traits (such as mood and anxiety), affective regulation, and quality of life. However, we have observed divergent results regarding outcome measures such as BMI and weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

 SE-AN patients are predicted to encounter both medical complications and psychological distress of increasing severity that will inevitably affect their quality of life; to our knowledge, research evidence on treatment options for SE-AN remains limited, and the methodological quality of studies is generally low. These findings denote the need to focus future research efforts on effective treatment strategies specific to long-lasting EDs.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as add-on treatment to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa reporting childhood maltreatment: A quasi-experimental multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the outcome of patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) reporting moderate/severe childhood maltreatment (CM) treated exclusively with Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E) or with CBT-E plus Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

METHOD

A total of 75 patients with AN reporting moderate/severe CM were initially assessed regarding body mass index (BMI), general and eating disorder (ED)-specific psychopathology, and dissociative symptoms, and re-evaluated after 40 CBT-E sessions (T1). Then, 18 patients received EMDR, whereas the others were placed on a waiting list and continued CBT-E. T2 assessment was performed after 20-25 sessions of EMDR or CBT-E. A control group of 67 patients without CM was also enroled and treated with CBT-E.

RESULTS

Contrary to patients without CM, neither of the traumatised groups improved in BMI, general and ED psychopathology, or dissociation at T1. However, at T2, both traumatised groups improved in BMI and ED-specific psychopathology, with the CBT + EMDR group demonstrating greater improvements. Moreover, only the CBT + EMDR group improved in general psychopathology and dissociative symptoms. The reduction of ED symptoms in traumatised patients was mediated by the amelioration of dissociation.

DISCUSSION

The addition of EMDR to CBT-E may benefit patients with AN reporting moderate/severe CM.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intensive treatment options for adults with eating disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex conditions with one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric illnesses. While outpatient evidence-based treatments for EDs in adults exist, there is often utilisation of more intensive interventions as part of treatment. However, a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of intensive treatment (inpatient, residential and day program) on physical and psychosocial outcomes is lacking. Thus, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intensive treatments in adults with EDs for the outcomes of body mass index (BMI), disordered eating, depression, and quality of life, as well as a moderation analysis investigating a range of clinical characteristics. Overall, 62 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that intensive treatment in adults yielded significant improvements in BMI (for underweight patients), disordered eating, depression, and quality of life. Treatment setting, length of stay and geographical region of the study all served as moderators for disordered eating and depression. Nevertheless, given the high heterogeneity in the meta- and moderation analyses, these results should be interpreted with caution. Future high-quality research is needed to determine the most beneficial elements of intensive treatment (compared to outpatient) in adults with EDs.

Metacognitive interpersonal therapy-eating disorders versus cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders for non-underweight adults with eating disorders: study protocol for a pilot pre-registered randomized controlled trial

Eating disorders (ED) are serious disorders characterized by an alteration of eating habits and excessive concern about weight and body shapes (Fairburn, 2002), accompanied by significant impairment inequality of life, high mortality rates and serious organic consequences (Jenkins et al., 2011; Treasure et al., 2015; 2020). Although evidence-based psychological therapies for nonunderweight ED presentations such as cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED) are widely available, there is substantial scope for improvements, particularly in terms of efficacy and adherence. One option is to develop interventions to address elements of pathology not fully addressed by existing empirical supported treatments, such as incorporating techniques aimed at addressing interpersonal problems and personality disorder features into existing treatment delivery. We adapted Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, a psychological intervention supported by evidence for treating personality disorders and integrated it with existing CBT techniques for eating disorders (MIT-ED). MIT-ED targets aspects of ED that are not included in the transdiagnostic CBT-E model such as poor metacognition, or maladaptive interpersonal schemas. This is a pre-registered (Protocol number: 0000781) pilot randomized clinical trial aimed at assessing acceptability and feasibility of MIT-ED and establishing preliminary evidence of effectiveness for future larger studies. Twenty patients (10 in each arm) will be randomized to 20 sessions of individual psychotherapy, either MIT-ED or CBTE. Repeated follow-ups will be collected up to 24 months. Participants are recruited at a private outpatient clinic for ED treatment. Acceptability will be assessed via session attendance, completion rates and preliminary outcomes. The primary outcome is ED pathology assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-6. Other ED outcomes assessed will be eating disorder attitudes, clinical impairment and binge eating pathology. Secondary treatment outcomes are anxiety, depression, and global symptomatology. We will also assess emotional awareness, emotion regulation and therapeutic alliance. Based on previous studies of MIT for personality disorders we hypothesize that MIT-ED will be acceptable to patients, evidenced by high treatment adherence and retention. We hypothesize that MIT-ED will be associated with reductions in eating disorder pathology, at least equivalent to CBT-E. Results will be used to inform the study design, sampling, likely effect sizes and choice of outcome measures for future larger trials of MIT-ED in ED samples.

Specific psychological therapies versus other therapies or no treatment for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa is a psychological condition characterised by self-starvation and fear or wait gain or other body image disturbance. The first line of treatment is specific psychological therapy; however, there is no consensus on best practice for treating people who develop severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SEAN). Notably, there is no universal definition of SEAN.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of specific psychological therapies for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa compared with other specific therapies, non-specific therapies, no treatment/waiting list, antidepressant medication, dietary counselling alone, or treatment as usual.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The last search date was 22 July 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included parallel randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of people (any age) with anorexia nervosa of at least three years' duration. Eligible experimental interventions were any specific psychological therapy for improved physical and psychological health in anorexia nervosa, conducted in any treatment setting with no restrictions in terms of number of sessions, modality, or duration of therapy. Eligible comparator interventions included any other specific psychological therapy for anorexia nervosa, non-specific psychological therapy for mental health disorders, no treatment or waiting list, antipsychotic treatment (with or without psychological therapy), antidepressant treatment (with or without psychological therapy), dietary counselling, and treatment as usual as defined by the individual trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were clinical improvement (weight restoration to within the normal weight range for participant sample) and treatment non-completion. Results were presented using the GRADE appraisal tool.

MAIN RESULTS

We found two eligible studies, but only one study provided usable data. This was a parallel-group RCT of 63 adults with SEAN who had an illness duration of at least seven years. The trial compared outpatient cognitive behaviour therapy for SEAN (CBT-SEAN) with specialist supportive clinical management for SEAN (SSCM-SE) over eight months. It is unclear if there is any difference between the effect of CBT-SEAN versus SSCM-SE on clinical improvement at 12 months (risk ratio (RR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 3.05) or treatment non-completion (RR 1.72, 95% CI 0.45 to 6.59). There were no reported data on adverse effects. The trial was at high risk of performance and detection bias. We rated the GRADE level of evidence as very low-certainty for both primary outcomes, downgrading for imprecision and risk of bias concerns.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review reports evidence from one trial that evaluated CBT-SEAN versus SSCM-SE. There was very low-certainty evidence of little or no difference in clinical improvement and treatment non-completion between the two therapies. There is a need for larger high-quality trials to determine the benefits of specific psychological therapies for people with SEAN. These should take into account the duration of illness as well as participants' previous experience with evidence-based psychological therapy for anorexia nervosa.

Systematic review: Exploring the monitoring and reporting of unwanted events in psychotherapy trials for anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

If a psychotherapeutic intervention has the capacity to produce positive change, the "deterioration effect" theory holds that it must also have the potential for negative effects. However, the definition, measurement, and reporting of unwanted events in psychotherapy is a topic of ongoing discussion. At present this area is under-explored in interventions for anorexia nervosa (AN), a severe mental illness associated with high medical and psychiatric risks. The aim of this article was to undertake a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating psychotherapeutic interventions for AN, and to assess how unwanted events were defined, monitored, and reported alongside the trial's key findings.

METHOD

Using a systematic review methodology, this article identified 23 RCTs through database searches meeting eligibility criteria. Results are presented using a narrative summary approach.

RESULTS

Unwanted event reporting varied widely, both regarding definitions of key unwanted events (such as non-compliance or symptom deterioration) and in the amount of detail captured in each paper.

DISCUSSION

The review identified two key issues: firstly, a lack of consistent definitions and unclear causality made it difficult to distinguish between unwanted events, and adverse events caused by the interventions. Secondly, it highlighted the difficulty of defining unwanted events where different studies have different populations and goals. Recommendations are made around how the area of defining, monitoring, and reporting unwanted events in RCTs for AN can be taken forward.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Whilst psychotherapies can be effective in treating mental health conditions, negative or unwanted events can sometimes occur. This review explored how RCTs examining psychotherapy for AN report how they monitor the safety of participants, and how they report unwanted events. We found that the reporting was often inconsistent or hard to interpret, and we have made recommendations for how this can be improved in the future.

Efficacy and tolerability of a specific blend of amino acids in patients with anorexia nervosa treated in a hospital setting: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Specific blends of essential amino acids (EAA) containing a high percentage of branched-chain amino acids preserves mitochondrial metabolism and higher physical resistance in elderly mice, increasing their survival and improving physical performance and cognitive functions in malnourished elderly patients. However, no study has been yet done on patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who regain weight with specialized intensive treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with EAA on the change in lean body mass (LBM) and other physical and psychological outcomes in patients with AN who are undergoing specialist treatment for eating disorders.

METHODS

This is a 13-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients will be randomized to either a mixture of a complex blend of EAA and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (citrate, malate, succinate) supplementation (or placebo) upon admission at the intensive residential and day-hospital treatment for eating disorders. Ninety-two participants with AN aged 16-50 years will be recruited from a specialized intensive treatment of eating disorders. Double-blind assessment will be conducted at baseline (T0) and the end of the 13 weeks of treatment (T1). The study's primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with EAA and TCA intermediates on the change in lean body mass (LBM) with weight restoration in patients with AN who are undergoing specialist treatment for eating disorders. The secondary aims of the study are to assess the effect of dietary supplementation on physical fitness, weight restoration, modification of AN and general psychopathology, and psychosocial impairment.

DISCUSSION

The study's results will inform researchers and clinicians on whether supplementing a mixture of EAA and TCA cycle intermediates will improve the increase of LBM and other important physical and psychological outcomes in patients with AN who regain weight with specialized intensive treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT, NCT05290285. Registered on 22 March 2022.

McArdle disease in a patient with anorexia nervosa: a case report

BACKGROUND

McArdle disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the glycogen phosphorylase (myophosphorylase) enzyme, which muscles need to break down glycogen into glucose for energy. Symptoms include exercise intolerance, with fatigue, muscle pain, and cramps being manifested during the first few minutes of exercise, which may be accompanied by rhabdomyolysis.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case report describes for the first time the clinical features, diagnosis and management of a 20 year-old patient with anorexia nervosa and McArdle disease, documented by means of muscle biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Anorexia nervosa and McArdle disease interact in a detrimental bidirectional way. In addition, some laboratory parameter alterations (e.g., elevated values of creatine kinase) commonly attributed to the specific features of eating disorders (e.g., excessive exercising) may delay the diagnosis of metabolic muscle diseases. On the other hand, the coexistence of a chronic disease, such as McArdle disease, whose management requires the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, can help to engage patients in actively addressing their eating disorder.

Changes in specific and nonspecific psychopathology network structure after intensive cognitive behavior therapy in patients with anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare eating disorder-specific and nonspecific clinical features in patients with anorexia nervosa before and after intensive enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E) via network analysis.

METHODS

All consecutive patients admitted to intensive CBT-E were eligible, and the sample comprised patients aged ≥16 years who completed a 20-week intensive CBT-E program. Body mass index (BMI), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Brief Symptoms Inventory responses were gathered at baseline and end of treatment, and used to generate statistical networks of the connections between symptoms (nodes) and the strength and centrality thereof.

RESULTS

A total of 214 patients were included. Most nodes had relatively similar centrality compared to other nodes in the networks. "Eating concern" and "phobic anxiety" showed the greatest bridge centrality at both time points. No differences were found between baseline and the end of treatment in either global network or individual connection strengths.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that some clinical expressions not specific to eating-disorder psychopathology remain strongly connected in the generalized network of patients with anorexia nervosa after CBT-E. Future research should examine whether additional procedures specifically designed to target these symptoms should be integrated into this and other treatments.

Integrated enhanced cognitive behavioural (I-CBTE) therapy significantly improves effectiveness of inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa in real life settings

BACKGROUND

Inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa can be lifesaving but is associated with high rates of relapse and poor outcomes. To address this, the Oxford service has adapted the enhanced cognitive behavioural treatment (CBTE) model, first developed for inpatients in Italy to a UK national health service (NHS) setting. In this study, we compared the outcomes from treatment as usual (TAU), integrated CBTE (I-CBTE), and alternative treatment models in routine UK clinical practice.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal cohort study, using routinely collected data between 2017 and 2020 involving all adults with anorexia nervosa admitted to specialist units from a large geographical area in England covering a total population of 3.5 million. We compared TAU with (1) I-CBTE (13 weeks inpatient CBTE, restoration to a healthy weight, combined with 7 weeks day treatment followed by 20 weeks of outpatient CBTE; (2) standalone inpatient CBTE (due to insufficient resources since the pandemic; and (3) 6-8 weeks admission with partial weight restoration as crisis management. Primary outcome measures (min. 1 year after discharge from hospital) were defined as: (1) good outcome: Body Mass Index (BMI) > 19.5 and no abnormal eating or compensatory behaviours; (2) poor outcome: BMI < 19.5 and/or ongoing eating disorder behaviours; (3) readmission; or (4) deceased. Secondary outcomes were BMI on discharge, and length of stay.

RESULTS

212 patients were admitted to 15 specialist units in the UK depending on bed availability. The mean age was 28.9 (18-60) years, mean admission BMI was 14.1 (10-18.3), 80% were voluntary. At minimum 1-year follow up after discharge, 70% of patients receiving I-CBTE and 29% standalone inpatient CBTE maintained good outcomes, in contrast with < 5% TAU and crisis management admission. Readmission rates of I-CBTE were 14.3% vs ~ 50% (χ² < 0.0001) in the other groups. The main predictors of good outcome were reaching healthy BMI by discharge, I-CBTE and voluntary status. Age, psychiatric comorbidity and length of stay did not predict outcomes. BMI on discharge and length of stay were significantly better in the CBTE groups than in TAU.

CONCLUSIONS

Our main finding is that in a real-life setting, I-CBTE has superior short- and minimum 1 year outcomes as compared with alternative inpatient treatment models. Dissemination of I-CBTE across the care pathway has the potential to transform outcomes of inpatient treatment for this high-risk patient population and reduce personal and societal costs.

Psychopharmacologic Management of Eating Disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Identifying medications that may be used as therapeutic agents for eating disorders is a longstanding focus of research, with varying degrees of success. The present review consolidates the most recent findings on pharmacological treatment of three eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent research suggests that olanzapine demonstrates positive effects on weight gain among outpatients with AN. There are fewer recent advances in psychopharmacological treatment for BN and BED, likely due to the relative success of prior medication trials. Olanzapine is the first medication to safely promote weight gain among individuals with AN. Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for BN treatment, and lisdexamfetamine is FDA-approved for BED treatment. BN and BED also generally respond well to SSRIs prescribed off-label. Research on psychopharmacological treatments for other eating disorders, such as avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders, are sorely needed.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes in patients with anorexia nervosa-A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the efficacy of an intensive treatment based on enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) in patients with anorexia nervosa.

METHODS

This cohort study analyzed 57 patients with anorexia nervosa who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic during intensive CBT-E, comparing their outcomes (body mass index [BMI], eating-disorder and general psychopathology, and clinical impairment) with those of patients with anorexia nervosa matched by gender, age, and BMI given the same treatment before the COVID-19 outbreak as controls. Patients were assessed at baseline, at the end of treatment and after 20 weeks of follow-up.

RESULTS

More than 75% of patients during the pandemic versus 85% of controls completed the treatment, a difference that was not significant. BMI, eating disorder and general psychopathology and clinical impairment scores improved significantly from baseline to 20-week follow-up in both groups. However, the improvement was more marked in controls than in those treated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Patients with anorexia nervosa given intensive CBT-E during the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly improved psychopathology, albeit to a lesser extent than patients given the same treatment before the COVID-19 pandemic.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

In this study, the outcome of 57 patients with anorexia treated with intensive enhanced cognitive behavior therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic was compared with a matched group treated before the pandemic hit. The rate of remission from anorexia nervosa was similar between the two groups. However, patients exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic showed lesser improvement than those not exposed.

Effects of Music Therapy in the Reduction of Pre-Meal Anxiety in Patients Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

Literature reviews appear to indicate that Music Therapy (MT) may instil a sense of empowerment and generate feelings of renewed self-confidence, distracting subjects who follow this type of intervention from negative thoughts and, generally, helping patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) to redevelop or rediscover their identity. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to investigate whether MT proposed before an evening meal is capable of decreasing pre-meal anxiety in adolescents suffering from AN who follow the Day-hospital Treatment Programme at the San Bortolo Hospital of Vicenza (Italy). A total of 24 patients participated voluntarily in once-weekly sessions of group-based MT conducted by a qualified music therapist over a period of six months. Before evening meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, pre-meal anxiety was measured using a self-report scale, and the MT group session occurred every Wednesday before the evening meal was consumed. MT activities were both active and receptive. It has been found that with respect to Mondays and Tuesdays, pre-meal anxiety was significantly lower on Wednesdays following participation in the MT group. MT is evidently capable of reducing pre-meal anxiety and may be adopted as a supportive element in treatment plans relating to patients with AN in a day-hospital treatment programme.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a 'stepping into day treatment' approach versus inpatient treatment as usual for anorexia nervosa in adult specialist eating disorder services (DAISIES trial): a study protocol of a randomised controlled multi-centre open-label parallel group non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and disabling mental disorder with a high disease burden. In a proportion of cases, intensive hospital-based treatments, i.e. inpatient or day patient treatment, are required, with day patient treatment often being used as a 'step-down' treatment after a period of inpatient treatment. Demand for such treatment approaches has seen a sharp rise. Despite this, the relative merits of these approaches for patients, their families, and the NHS and wider society are relatively unknown. This paper describes the rationale for, and protocol of, a two-arm multi-centre open-label parallel group non-inferiority randomised controlled trial, evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these two intensive treatments for adults with severe AN: inpatient treatment as usual and a stepped care day patient approach (the combination of day patient treatment with the option of initial inpatient treatment for medical stabilisation). The main aim of this trial is to establish whether, in adults with severe AN, a stepped care day patient approach is non-inferior to inpatient treatment as usual in relation to improving body mass index (BMI) at 12 months post-randomisation.

METHODS

386 patients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition diagnosis of severe AN or related disorder, with a BMI of ≤16 kg/m2 and in need of intensive treatment will be randomly allocated to either inpatient treatment as usual or a stepped care day patient approach. Patients in both groups will receive treatment until they reach a healthy weight or get as close to this point as possible. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (prior to randomisation), and at 6 and 12 months post-randomisation, with additional monthly symptom monitoring. The primary outcome will be BMI at the 12-month post-randomisation assessment. Other outcomes will include psychosocial adjustment; treatment motivation, expectations and experiences; cost-effectiveness; and carer burden.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study will provide a rigorous evaluation of two intensive treatment approaches which will inform future national and international treatment guidelines and service provision.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN ISRCTN10166784 . Registered 28 February 2020. ISRCTN is a primary registry of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) network and includes all items from the WHO Trial Registration Data Set.

Virtual Reality-Based Immersive Rehabilitation for Cognitive- and Behavioral-Impairment-Related Eating Disorders: A VREHAB Framework Scoping Review

Virtual reality (VR) technology is one of the promising directions for rehabilitation, especially cognitive rehabilitation. Previous studies demonstrated successful rehabilitation in motor, cognitive, and sensorial functions using VR. The objective of this review is to summarize the current designs and evidence on immersive rehabilitation interventions using VR on cognitive- or behavioral-related eating disorders, which was mapped using a VREHAB framework. Two authors independently searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Ten (n = 10) articles were eligible for review. Treatments for anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder/bulimia nervosa were reported through enhanced/experimental cognitive behavior therapy (ECT), cue exposure therapy (CET), and body exposure therapy (BET) via the virtual environment. Some studies reported that the VR effects were superior or comparable to traditional treatments, while the effects may last longer using VR technology. In addition, VR was perceived as acceptable and feasible among patients and therapists and could be valuable for supplementing existing therapies, relieving manpower and caregiver burdens. Future studies may consider incorporating haptic, smell, and biofeedback to improve the experience, and thus the effects of the treatments for the users.

Risk, demand, capacity and outcomes in adult specialist eating disorder services in South-East of England before and since COVID-19

AIMS AND METHOD

This is a longitudinal cohort study describing the demand, capacity and outcomes of adult specialist eating disorder in-patient services covering a population of 3.5 million in a South-East England provider collaborative before and since the COVID-19 pandemic, between July 2018 and March 2021.

RESULTS

There were 351 referrals for admission; 97% were female, 95% had a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and 19% had a body mass index (BMI) <13. Referrals have increased by 21% since the start of pandemic, coinciding with reduced capacity. Waiting times have increased from 33 to 46 days. There were significant differences in outcomes between providers. A novel, integrated enhanced cognitive behaviour theapy treatment model showed a 25% reduction in length of stay and improved BMI on discharge (50% v. 16% BMI >19), compared with traditional eclectic in-patient treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Integrated enhanced cognitive behaviour theapy reduced length of stay and improved outcomes, and can offer more effective use of healthcare resources.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy-enhanced compared with treatment-as-usual for anorexia nervosa in an inpatient and outpatient routine setting: a consecutive cohort study

BACKGROUND

For anorexia nervosa, firm evidence of the superiority of specialized psychological treatments is limited and economic evaluations of such treatments in real world settings are scarce. This consecutive cohort study examined differential (cost-)effectiveness for adult inpatients and outpatients with anorexia nervosa, after implementing cognitive behavioral therapy-enhanced (CBT-E) throughout a routine setting.

METHODS

Differences in remission, weight regain and direct eating disorder treatment costs were examined between one cohort (N = 75) receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU) between 2012-2014, and the other (N = 88) CBT-E between 2015-2017. The economic evaluation was performed from a health care perspective with a one-year time horizon, using EDE global score < 2.77, the absence of eating disorder behaviors combined with a BMI ≥ 18.5, as effect measure. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated and cost-effectiveness planes and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were displayed to assess the probability that CBT-E is cost effective compared to TAU.

RESULTS

Using direct eating disorder treatment costs in the cost-effectiveness analysis, the cost-effectiveness plane of the base case scenario for all patients indicated a 84% likelihood of CBT-E generating better health gain at additional costs. The median ICER is €51,081, indicating a probable preference for CBT-E (> 50% probability of cost-effectiveness) assuming a WTP of €51,081 or more for each additional remission, On remission, no difference was found with 9.3% remission during TAU and 14.6% during CBT-E (p = .304). Weight regain was higher during CBT-E (EMD = 1.33 kg/m², SE = .29, 95% CI [0.76-1.9], p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this mixed inpatient and outpatient cohort study, findings indicate a probability of CBT-Ebeing more effective at higher costs. These findings may contribute to the knowledge of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of specialized psychological treatments. In this study, the effectiveness and treatment costs of a specialized psychological treatment for adult clients with anorexia nervosa were compared with a regular, non-specialist treatment. One group of inpatients and outpatients did receive non-specialist treatment, the next group of inpatients and outpatients received CBT-E, a specialized treatment, later on. CBT-E is recommended for clients with bulimia and with binge eating disorder, for clients with anorexia nervosa it is less clear which specialized psychological treatment should be recommended. Results indicate that at end-of-treatment, CBT-E was not superior on remission. When looking at weight regain, CBT-E seemed superior than the treatment offered earlier. Economic evaluation suggests that CBT-E generates better health gain, but at additional costs. This study contributes to the knowledge on the effectiveness and treatment costs of psychological treatments, as they are offered in routine practice, to adults with anorexia nervosa.

Day-hospital enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for adults with eating disorders: Immediate and follow-up effects

OBJECTIVE

To assess outcomes in adult patients with eating disorders administered enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) in a day-hospital setting.

METHOD

Forty-three consecutive patients with eating disorders (86% females; mean age 28.8 [SD = 11.8]) were admitted to a 13-week day-hospital CBT-E program. Twenty-five (58.1%) patients were underweight (i.e., body mass index [BMI] <18.5 kg/m² ; BMI 15.4 [SD = 2.2]) and 18 not (mean BMI 23.1 [SD = 6.3]) at baseline. All patients responded poorly to prior outpatient treatment. Body mass index and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) scores were recorded at baseline, end of treatment, and 20-week follow-up.

RESULTS

In 37 patients (86.0%) who completed the treatment, there were substantial improvements in eating-disorder features, general psychopathology, clinical impairment, and body weight (only in underweight patients), which were well maintained at follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Day-hospital CBT-E is a promising treatment for adults with eating disorders.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on individuals with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on body mass index (BMI), body dissatisfaction, depression and anxiety among individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHODS

Published studies in English were searched using seven databases (such as PubMed). Grey literature was searched using ProQuest and Scopus. Studies were screened, appraised and extracted by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed and standardized mean difference was used as an effect measure. Heterogeneity was determined by I² statistics and Cochran χ² test. Publication bias was appraised using funnel plots. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also conducted.

RESULTS

Nineteen RCTs from eight different countries were included in this review. Behavioral family system therapy (BFST) was found to enhance BMI while conjoint family therapy (CFT) was more effective in ameliorating depression. Studies implementing combined family and individual therapy and those with longer therapeutic durations produced larger effect sizes.

CONCLUSION

This review provided evidence to support BSFT, CFT and combined family and individual therapy for adolescents with AN.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare professionals may offer the two interventions to adolescents with AN in clinical settings. Future research may further investigate the effectiveness of BSFT and CFT on BMI and depression.

Early maladaptive schemas in eating disorders: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Research and theory suggest the aetiological nature and symptomatic profile of eating disorders (EDs) can be explained by multiple factors, including the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). Yet, there is lack of consensus regarding the evidence supporting the relationship between EMS and EDs. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to examine existing literature concerning the relationship between different ED diagnoses and EMS to provide a synthesis and evaluation of relevant research.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search of four electronic databases was conducted and studies were included that examined the association between EMS and EDs. Studies were required to use a variant of Young Schema Questionnaire and establish ED diagnosis or symptomology using self-report questionnaires or clinical interview.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies were included in the review. Compared to healthy controls and varying clinical populations, individuals with EDs generally reported significantly higher scores across all EMS except for Entitlement. Furthermore, Unrelenting Standards consistently appeared as a significant EMS across all ED diagnoses whilst Insufficient Self-Control was significantly lower in ED diagnoses with restrictive behaviour compared to diagnoses with binge eating or purging behaviour.

DISCUSSION

Research supports significant associations between EMS and EDs, which may contribute to our understanding of ED aetiology, including different diagnostic categories. This review underscores the need for studies to explore more gender and age diverse samples and highlights important implications for practitioners.

Change in eating-disorder psychopathology network structure in patients with anorexia nervosa treated with intensive cognitive behavior therapy

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to compare the change in eating-disorder feature networks in patients with anorexia nervosa after treatment with intensive enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E).

METHODS

Patients seeking treatment for anorexia nervosa were consecutively recruited from January 2016 to September 2020. All patients aged ≥16 years who completed a 20-week intensive CBT-E program (13 weeks of inpatient followed by 7 weeks of day-hospital treatment) were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI) was measured, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire completed for each patient, both at baseline and the end of treatment.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 214 patients with anorexia nervosa. Treated patients showed significant improvements in BMI and eating-disorder psychopathology. Network analysis revealed a significant reduction in the network global and connection strengths at the end of treatment. The most central and highly interconnected nodes in the network at baseline were related to the drive for thinness, but at the end of treatment to body image concerns. Some edge connections were significantly stronger at baseline than at the end of treatment, while others were significantly stronger at the end of treatment than at baseline.

DISCUSSION

CBT-E reduces the psychopathology network connectivity over time in patients with anorexia nervosa. The differences in central nodes and edge connections between baseline and end of treatment, not detected by classical inferential analysis, may be informative for understanding the centrality of symptoms in the psychopathology network, and how a specific treatment may act to reduce symptoms and change their connections over time.

The effect of group cognitive behavior therapy on Chinese patients with anorexia nervosa: an open label trial

BACKGROUND

The high cost of treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) and lack of trained specialists have resulted in limited accessibility of effective treatment to patients with AN, which is particularly problematic in China. To increase the accessibility of evidence-based treatment and reduce the cost of treatment, this study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of group cognitive behavior therapy (G-CBT) adapted from enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) in Chinese AN patients.

METHOD

A total of 78 patients with AN were assigned to G-CBT or individual outpatient treatment (IOT) and received three months of treatment for AN in each condition. Measures of eating pathology, depression and anxiety were administrated to both intervention groups at three time points: baseline, one month of treatment, and end of treatment; results were compared between groups and over time.

RESULTS

There were 70 participants included in the final analysis. Both G-CBT and IOT groups showed significant improvement in eating pathology and associated psychopathology (ps < .001) over the course of treatment, but no significant difference in symptom improvement was found between the two groups (ps > .05). G-CBT resulted in additional significant improvement in ED psychopathology over the last two months of treatment, and its overall therapeutic effect was influenced by baseline weight and early symptom improvement.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary findings from this open label trial suggest that G-CBT adapted from CBT-E is feasible in an outpatient setting and as effective as IOT in facilitating weight regain and reducing psychopathology in Chinese AN patients with little evidence for the superiority of either intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The current study was registered at clinical trials.gov on September 23, 2018 (registration number NCT03684239). People with anorexia nervosa (AN) are known to be unmotivated for treatment and prone to relapse. Recovery from AN often needs intensive, long-term treatment from a specialized multidisciplinary team, which is not accessible for most people in China. Given the increasing incidence of AN and lack of eating disorder (ED) specialists in China, it is important to develop short-term cost-effective treatments for AN. In this study, we explored the feasibility and efficacy of group cognitive behavior therapy (G-CBT) adapted from enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E) for people with AN from China. We found that G-CBT was as effective as individual outpatient treatment (IOT) typically provided to AN patients at the research site in facilitating weight regain, improving eating behaviors, and reducing ED and other symptoms. We also found that patients receiving G-CBT made more improvements in cognitive symptoms of the ED, which might help maintain treatment gains and prevent relapse in the long run. This potential long-term advantage of G-CBT needs to be verified in long-term follow-up.

Metabolomics signatures of acutely ill and short-term weight recovered women with anorexia nervosa

Although metabolomics studies are recently spreading and have allowed the characterization of putative biomarkers in many diseases, they are relatively scanty in anorexia nervosa (AN). In this explorative study we analyzed the fecal metabolomics profiles of women with AN in the underweight phase (n = 24) and after short-term weight restoration (n = 16) and compared them with 20 healthy women. An untargeted metabolomic procedure allowed the characterization of 224 metabolites involved in energy, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. A partial least square discriminant analysis identified 14 metabolites with a variable importance in projection score >1.5 that clearly differentiated underweight from weight-restored patients from healthy women. Compared with healthy women, fecal concentrations of valeric acid and 3-methyl,2-ketobutyric acid were increased in both underweight and weight-restored patients; fecal concentrations of propionic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, methyl-galactoside, coprosterol, cycloserine, and lauric acid were increased while fecal levels of xylose, fucose, and rhamnose were decreased in underweight patients and normalized after weight-restoration; fecal concentrations of piperine, phenylalanine, butyric acid, and meso-erythritol-1 were decreased while fecal levels of hydroxystearic acid were increased in weight-restored but normal in underweight AN patients. All these changes point to peculiar fecal metabolomics profiles of acute and short-term weight restored AN patients. The value of these changes to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of AN and to characterize potential biomarker targets for developing new treatment strategies needs further studies to be clarified.

Change in normative eating self-efficacy is associated with six-month weight restoration following inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder characterized by rigid and restrictive eating behaviors, resulting in significantly low body weight. While specialized behavioral intensive treatment programs can reliably support individuals with AN to normalize eating and weight control behaviors and achieve weight restoration, prognostic factors predicting relapse following treatment are unclear. We examined whether changes in (i) normative eating self-efficacy, (ii) body image self-efficacy, (iii) drive for thinness, and (iv) body dissatisfaction from inpatient admission to six-month follow-up were associated with weight restoration status at program discharge and at six-month follow-up. The sample comprised 146 participants with AN admitted to a meal-based inpatient-partial hospitalization program. Participants completed questionnaires at inpatient admission and six months following program discharge. Additionally, at follow-up, participants reported the frequency of engaging in normalized eating behaviors since discharge (e.g. eating with others and preparing a balanced meal). The majority (73.3%) of participants attained a BMI > 19 at discharge and 59.6% were weight restored at six-month follow-up. Change in normative eating self-efficacy was significantly associated with weight restoration at follow-up, whereas change in body image self-efficacy, drive for thinness, and body dissatisfaction were not. For each one unit increase in normative eating self-efficacy, patients were 4.65 times more likely to be weight restored at follow-up (p = .002). Additionally, individuals reporting a higher frequency of normalized eating behaviors at follow-up were more likely to be weight restored. Normative eating self-efficacy and normalized eating behaviors may represent vital treatment targets for relapse prevention interventions for this high-risk population.

Effectiveness of treatment for adolescents and adults with anorexia nervosa in a routine residential setting

Residential treatment is a necessary element of treatment in some cases of anorexia nervosa, where it is used prior to transitioning to complete the treatment in a less intensive setting. This study tests how effective residential treatment is at helping adolescent and adult patients to reduce their eating pathology to levels that can be managed in outpatient settings. Ninety-eight patients with anorexia nervosa started treatment in a routine residential setting (83 completers). The adolescent and adult groups showed comparable levels of benefit, showing gains in weight and reductions in eating pathology, compatible with transitioning to less intensive treatment. Change was particularly substantial over the first 6 weeks. This effectiveness study has shown that an appropriate period of residential treatment can be used to prepare patients to be able to benefit from a less intensive treatment, regardless of age group.

Genetic and environmental contributions to diagnostic fluctuation in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two severe eating disorders associated with high premature mortality, suicidal risk and serious medical complications. Transition between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa over the illness course and familial co-aggregation of the two eating disorders imply aetiological overlap. However, genetic and environmental liabilities to the overlap are poorly understood. Quantitative genetic research using clinical diagnosis is needed.

METHODS

We acquired a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (prevalence = 0.90%) and bulimia nervosa (prevalence = 0.48%) in a large population-based sample (N = 782 938) of randomly selected full-sisters and maternal half-sisters born in Sweden between 1970 and 2005. Structural equation modelling was applied to quantify heritability of clinically diagnosed anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and the contributions of genetic and environmental effects on their overlap.

RESULTS

The heritability of clinically diagnosed anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa was estimated at 43% [95% confidence interval (CI) (36-50%)] and 41% (31-52%), respectively, in the study population, with the remaining variance explained by variance in unique environmental effects. We found statistically significant genetic [0.66, 95% CI (0.49-0.82)] and unique environmental correlations [0.55 (0.43-0.66)] between the two clinically diagnosed eating disorders; and their overlap was about equally explained by genetic and unique environmental effects [co-heritability 47% (35-58%)].

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports shared mechanisms for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and extends the literature from self-reported behavioural measures to clinical diagnosis. The findings encourage future molecular genetic research on both eating disorders and emphasize clinical vigilance for symptom fluctuation between them.

Discharge Body Mass Index, Not Illness Chronicity, Predicts 6-Month Weight Outcome in Patients Hospitalized With Anorexia Nervosa

Proposed treatments for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) focus on quality of life, and psychological and social functioning. By de-emphasizing weight restoration as a priority, however, premature diagnosis of SE-AN may reduce potential for recovery. The present study assessed the effect of weight restoration, illness duration, and severity on treatment outcome 6 months after discharge from an intensive, meal-based behavioral treatment program. Participants included hospitalized adult women (N = 191) with AN or underweight other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED). Participants were characterized as short-term (ill <7 years; n = 74) or long-term ill (ill ≥ 7 years; n = 117). Compared with short-term ill, long-term ill patients were older, had lower lifetime body mass index (BMI), more prior admissions, and exhibited greater depression and neuroticism. Long-term vs. short-term ill patients gained weight at the same rate (~2 kg/wk) and were equally likely to be weight restored by discharge (>75% reached BMI ≥ 19 kg/m² in both groups). At 6-month follow-up (n = 99), both groups had equivalent self-reported BMI, and depression, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and bulimia scores. The only predictor of BMI ≥ 19 kg/m² at follow-up was discharge BMI. The likelihood of a BMI ≥ 19 kg/m² at follow-up was 5-fold higher for those with discharge BMI ≥ 19 kg/m². Few studies of long-term ill inpatients with AN have examined the impact of full weight restoration on short-term outcomes. This study supports the therapeutically optimistic stance that, regardless of illness duration, hospitalized patients with AN benefit from gaining weight to a BMI ≥ 19 kg/m².

Current Therapeutic Approaches to Anorexia Nervosa: State of the Art

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a devastating psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme restriction of food intake and low body weight, both associated with significant medical and psychological morbidity. The clinical severity of AN has prompted the consideration and study of behavioral and pharmacological treatments in efforts to establish empirically based methods to reduce the burden of the disorder. Among adolescents, family-based treatment is considered a first-line behavioral treatment. Research continues to explore the efficacy of family-based treatment and predictors of treatment response to further improve outcomes. Several behavioral treatments for adults also exist, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, third-wave acceptance-based treatments, and supportive psychotherapy, all of which help to improve symptoms and promote modest weight gain. Despite this, no one treatment is considered superior, and all existing behavioral approaches leave a proportion of adults symptomatic or at a high risk of relapse. As such, among adults, there is continued need for development of novel, mechanism-based approaches to better target the core symptoms of AN. Although antidepressants impart little benefit on weight or symptoms, the second-generation antipsychotic olanzapine has shown ability to promote modest weight gain in outpatients with AN. Most recently, the field's evolving conceptualization of AN as a biologically based disorder coupled with technological advancements has led to consideration of varying neuromodulation strategies as a potential therapeutic approach that remains under investigation.

The outcome at follow-up after inpatient eating disorder treatment: a naturalistic study

BACKGROUND

Patients with eating disorders may experience a severe and enduring course of illness. Treatment outcome for patients provided with inpatient treatment is reported as poor. Research to date has not provided consistent results for predictors of treatment outcome. The aims of the study were to investigate rates of remission at follow-up after inpatient treatment, symptom change from admission to follow-up, and predictors of treatment outcome.

METHODS

The follow-up sample consisted of 150 female adult former patients (69.4% of all eligible female patients) with eating disorders. Mean age at admission was 21.7 (SD = 4.9) years. Diagnostic distribution: 66% (n = 99) anorexia nervosa, 21.3% (n = 32) bulimia nervosa and 12.7% (n = 19) other specified feeding or eating disorder, including binge eating. Data were collected at admission, discharge and follow-up (mean 2.7 (SD = 1.9) years). Definition of remission was based on the EDE-Q Global score, body mass index and binge/purge behavior. Paired T-tests were performed to investigate change over time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were estimated to investigate predictors of remission.

RESULTS

At follow-up, 35.2% of the participants were classified as in remission. Significant symptom reduction (in all patients) (p <  0.001) and significant increase in body mass index (BMI) (in underweight participants at admission) (p <  0.001) was found. Increased BMI (p <  0.05), the level of core eating disorder symptoms at admission (p <  0.01) and reduced core eating disorder symptoms (p <  0.01) during inpatient treatment were found significant predictors of outcome in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS

All participants had an eating disorder requiring inpatient treatment. Approximately one-third of all participants could be classified as in remission at follow-up. However, most participants experienced significant symptom improvement during inpatient treatment and the improvements were sustained at follow-up. Increased probability of remission at follow-up was indicated by lower core ED symptoms at admission for all patients, raised BMI during admission for patients with AN, and reduced core ED symptoms during inpatient treatment for all patients. This finding contributes important information and highlights the importance of targeting these core symptoms in transdiagnostic treatment programs.

Treatment of Eating Disorders in Adults Versus Adolescents: Similarities and Differences

FINDINGS

Although several individual psychotherapies for adults with eating disorders are empirically supported, with family-based treatment (FBT) being the leading recommended empiric treatment in adolescents, patients with eating disorders are still difficult to treat, and outcomes are often poor. In some countries, the clinical services for adolescents and adults are separate, and it is common for patients to receive treatments that differ in terms of both theory and content when they are switched from adolescent to adult services. Changes in the nature of treatment also often occur when patients move from less intensive types of care to more intensive treatment, and vice versa. These transitions may create a discontinuity in the care pathway and disorient patients and their significant others about the strategies and procedures used for addressing eating problems. However, the observation that younger and older patients essentially share the same eating-disorder psychopathology has led to evidence-based enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E) being adapted for use in adolescents. Originally an evidence-based treatment for adults with eating disorders, CBT-E has yielded promising results in trials in cohorts of adolescent outpatients and inpatients, and is recommended as an alternative to FBT in adolescent patients.

IMPLICATIONS

With a unified treatment such as CBT-E, several issues that plague conventional eating-disorder services could be partially overcome, as patients can move seamlessly from adolescence to adulthood and through different levels of care, with no change in the nature of the treatment itself. Future randomized, controlled trials should compare FBT to CBT-E to better clarify the specific therapeutic needs of subgroups of adolescents and adult patients with eating disorders.

Effectiveness of intensive cognitive behavioral therapy in adolescents and adults with anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an intensive treatment based on enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) in adolescent and adult patients with anorexia nervosa.

METHODS

A total of 150 consecutive patients (74 adolescents and 81 adults) were admitted to a 20-week intensive CBT-E program (13 weeks of inpatient followed by 7 weeks of day-hospital treatment). All patients had responded poorly to previous outpatient treatments and were assessed at admission, end of treatment (EOT), and 20- and 60-week follow-ups.

RESULTS

About 70% of eligible patients began the program, and more than 85% completed it. Body mass index (BMI) in adults and BMI-for-age percentile in adolescents improved significantly from baseline to EOT, remained stable until 20-week follow-up, and slightly decreased from 20-week follow-up to 60-week follow-up, while remaining in the lower normal range. Eating disorder psychopathology, general psychopathology, and clinical impairment scores decreased significantly at EOT and showed only a slight increase from EOT to follow-ups. No difference was found between adolescent and adult patients in treatment acceptance, dropout, or any outcome measure.

DISCUSSION

These findings indicate that intensive CBT-E seems to be an effective treatment for severely ill adolescent and adult patients with anorexia nervosa.

Multi-omics data integration in anorexia nervosa patients before and after weight regain: A microbiome-metabolomics investigation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We have recently reported specific fecal metabolomic changes in acute and short-term weight restored patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). In this study we explored the association between those metabolomic changes and patients' gut microbiome composition.

METHODS

The gut microbiome of AN women was sequenced in both the underweight phase (n = 21) and after short-term weight restoration (n = 16) and compared to that of 20 healthy women. According to a multi-omics approach, microbiome data were correlated with 49 relevant fecal metabolites previously characterized in our participants by an untargeted metabolomic procedure.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy women, AN patients showed a decreased intra-individual bacterial richness, an increased Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes abundance ratio and significant changes in the relative abundances of several bacteria at phylum, class, order, family and genus levels. These changes were observed in both the underweight and weight-restored condition. Moreover, the relationships among the 49 previously selected fecal metabolites and bacteria genera showed structures of different complexity among the 3 groups. In particular, a quarter of those relationships showed a divergent direction in the acutely ill patients with respect to the weight-restored ones or normal controls. Finally, in acutely ill patients 70% of those correlations showed a negative sign suggesting a prevalent metabolites consummation by gut microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm a profound perturbation in the gut microbiome composition of AN patients. Moreover, for the first time, they provide the evidence that in AN gut bacteria are connected with several fecal metabolites in a different way from normal controls and with divergent directions in the acute phase with respect to the weight-restored phase.

Psychological Treatments for People With Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa: A Mini Review

This Mini-Review presents recent research into evidence for psychological treatments for people with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SEAN). Two psychological therapies, specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM), and cognitive behavior therapy for anorexia nervosa (CBT-AN) have limited (one randomized controlled study) evidence of efficacy. Both have had adaptations for SEAN, notably with revision of the primary treatment goal of improved quality of life and full weight recovery a secondary goal. A major issue with existing studies is poor definition of SEAN, and the large deficit in research that has used an agreed definition of SEAN. In particular, it may be problematic to extrapolate from studies of people with either severe and/or enduring but not intractable or "resistant" illness. People with longstanding AN who have not received evidence based care should be offered this with an expectation of recovery. Similarly, people with SEAN may be offered care with judicious mitigation of expectations. In the future, trials should include people with SEAN clearly defined. Trials with a subsample of participants likely to have SEAN, if identified at randomisation, are an opportunity for secondary analyses of such participants. This would widen the evidence base for psychological treatments providing hope for people with this devastating illness. Finally, there is an urgent need not only to strengthen our existing knowledge with studies of sufficient power, but also, fundamentally, to derive novel conceptualizations of what "treatment" involves.

What is the evidence for using bed rest as part of hospital treatment of severe anorexia nervosa?

Bed rest is commonly used on medical and paediatric wards as part of nursing management of the physically compromised patient with severe anorexia nervosa. The aim of this study was to review the evidence base of bed rest as an intervention in the management of severe anorexia nervosa. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, HMIC, AMED, HBE, BNI and guidelines written in English until April 2018 using the following terms: bed rest and anorexia nervosa. After exclusion of duplicates, three guidelines and eight articles were included. The papers were methodologically heterogeneous, and therefore, quantitative summary was not possible. There have been no randomised controlled trials to compare the benefits and harms of bed rest as the focus of intervention in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Several papers showed that patients have a strong preference for less restrictive approaches. These are also less intensive in nursing time. Negative physical consequences were described in a number of studies: these included lower heart rate, impaired bone turn over and increased risk of infection. We found no evidence to support bed rest in hospital treatment of anorexia nervosa. The risks associated with bed rest are significant and include both physical and psychological harm, and these can be avoided by early mobilisation. Given the established complications of bed rest in other critically ill patient populations, it is difficult to recommend the enforcement of bed rest for patients with anorexia nervosa. Future research should focus on safe early mobilisation, which would reduce complications and improve patient satisfaction.

Introduction: Novel perspectives on the psychology and psychotherapy of eating disorders

The aim of this introduction to this issue is to review and summarize significant new psychological perspectives and psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of eating disorder (EDs). In this issue, five novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of EDs are presented. These include a combination of psychodynamic psychotherapy and neuropsychology, two recent modifications of cognitive behavioral therapy (the MANTRA, and the conceptualization of change in patients with ED in terms of sense of agency), a specific group movement therapy, and an innovative rehabilitation treatment. In addition, one article offers an historic review of the development of psychotherapy of EDs, and two articles highlight specific considerations related to the treatment of EDs: compulsory treatment, and culturally sensitive treatment.

Treatment outcomes for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

To determine the impact of specialized treatments, relative to comparator treatments, upon the weight and psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) at end-of-treatment (EOT) and follow-up.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between January 1980 and December 2017 that reported the effects of at least two treatments on AN were screened. Weight and psychological symptoms were analyzed separately for each study. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed, and studies were assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria and Cochrane risk of bias tool.

RESULTS

We identified 35 eligible RCTs, comprising data from 2524 patients. Meta-analyses revealed a significant treatment effect on weight outcomes at EOT [g = 0.16, 95% CI (0.05-0.28), p = 0.006], but not at follow-up [g = 0.11, 95% CI (-0.04 to 0.27), p = 0.15]. There was no significant treatment effect on psychological outcomes at either EOT [g = -0.03, 95% CI (-0.14 to 0.08), p = 0.63], or follow-up [g = -0.001, 95% CI (-0.11 to 0.11), p = 0.98]. There was no strong evidence of publication bias or significant moderator effects for illness duration, mean age, year of publication, comparator group category, or risk of bias (all p values &gt; 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Current specialized treatments are more adept than comparator interventions at imparting change in weight-based AN symptoms at EOT, but not at follow-up. Specialized treatments confer no advantage over comparator interventions in terms of psychological symptoms. Future precision treatment efforts require a specific focus on the psychological symptoms of AN.

A Longitudinal Study of Eating Rituals in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa

Background: Eating rituals are any problematic behaviors involving food. They are usually observed in patients with anorexia nervosa, but research into these behaviors and their role in treatment outcomes is lacking. Objective: We set out to assess the presence of eating rituals in patients with anorexia nervosa treated by means of intensive enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT-E), in addition to their change over time and role as potential predictors of treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: Ninety adult female inpatients with anorexia nervosa were recruited. The Participants' body mass index (BMI), and scores for Starvation Symptoms Inventory (SSI), Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were recorded, and a purpose-designed 9-item checklist of eating rituals was completed by trained dieticians during assisted eating - an integral part of the ICBT-E. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was used at admission to identify the presence of coexisting axis I psychiatric disorders. All other tests were administered at baseline (admission), the end of treatment and 6-month follow-up. BMI, EDE, and BSI were also re-administered after 4 weeks of treatment in order to examine how refeeding affects these variables. Results: We found a correlation at baseline between eating rituals and both general and eating-disorder psychopathology scores. Eating rituals were also associated with the presence of at least one comorbid anxiety disorder. ICBT-E treatment was associated with a significant reduction in eating rituals, as well as a significant increase in BMI and improved eating-disorder and general psychopathology. However, our most relevant finding was that neither baseline eating ritual scores nor their change during treatment was associated with either BMI or general or eating-disorder psychopathology scores taken at either the end of therapy or at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: Neither the presence of nor change in eating rituals influence treatment outcomes in patients with anorexia nervosa.

DSM-5 severity specifiers for anorexia nervosa and treatment outcomes in adult females

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes across the BMI (body mass index)-based DSM-5 severity specifiers in a sample of adult females with anorexia nervosa (AN) treated with enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E).

METHOD

One hundred and twenty-eight participants with AN (64 outpatients and 64 inpatients) were sub-categorised using DSM-5 severity specifiers and compared by baseline clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes at the end of treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found across the four severity groups for 'weight recovery' (i.e., BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2) or 'good outcome' (i.e., BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and minimal accompanying eating disorder psychopathology).

DISCUSSION

Our data suggest that the DSM-5 severity specifiers for anorexia nervosa may have limited clinical utility in predicting treatment outcomes of CBT-E.

Starvation symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in starvation symptoms over time and their role as potential predictors of change in eating disorder and general psychopathology in patients with anorexia nervosa treated by means of intensive enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT-E).

METHOD

Ninety adult female patients with anorexia nervosa (63 restricting type and 27 binge-eating/purging type) were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Starvation Symptoms Inventory (SSI) scores were recorded at admission, at the end of treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. All tests, except for the EDE, were also administered after 4 weeks of treatment to assess the role of refeeding on these variables.

RESULTS

At baseline, starvation symptoms were correlated with measures of eating disorder and general psychopathology. The treatment was associated with a significant increase in BMI, improvement in eating disorder and general psychopathology, and a significant reduction in starvation symptoms. The change in SSI scores from baseline to 4 weeks predicted the improvement in EDE eating concern subscale and global BSI scores. Among patients who had restored their body weight by the end of treatment, dietary restraint and eating concern EDE-Q subscales, global EDE-Q and SSI scores showed greater improvement in the first 4 weeks than in the remaining 16 weeks of treatment.

DISCUSSION

The findings underline the close relationship between improvements in both starvation symptoms and eating disorder and general psychopathology and indicate the important role of refeeding in ameliorating both.