First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two-year follow-up

Akira Fukutomi, Amelia Austin, Jessica McClelland, Amy Brown, Danielle Glennon, Victoria Mountford, Nina Grant, Karina Allen, Ulrike Schmidt*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: We describe 2-year outcomes of a novel first episode early intervention service for young adults with a recent onset eating disorder (FREED). Outcomes in FREED patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) were compared with those from patients previously seen in our service [treatment as usual (TAU) cohort], matched for age, illness duration and diagnosis. Methods: Electronic case records of FREED-AN (n = 22) and TAU-AN patients (n = 35) were examined to identify service utilisation and clinical outcomes over 24 months. Results: Outpatient service utilisation was similar in both groups, but FREED-AN patients needed intensive (in- or day-patient) treatment less frequently than TAU-AN (23% vs 32%). FREED-AN patients had a higher estimated mean body mass index [19.2 kg/m2; 95% CI (18.21, 20.16)] than TAU patients [18.0 kg/m2; 95% CI (16.90, 19.15)] at last contact. Conclusion: Introduction of FREED led to a more complete recovery in patients with AN at 24 months.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-141
Number of pages5
JournalEarly Intervention in Psychiatry
Volume14
Issue number1
Early online date15 Oct 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020

Keywords

  • anorexia nervosa
  • early intervention
  • eating disorders
  • emerging adults

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two-year follow-up'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this