Care utilization in eating disorders: for whom are multiple episodes of care more likely?

Purpose: The current study aimed to determine baseline clinical features among adults receiving varied levels of care for transdiagnostic eating disorders (N = 5206, 89.9% female, mean age 29 years old) that may be associated with increased care utilization.

Methods: We used negative binomial regression models to evaluate associations among eating disorder diagnoses, other psychiatric features (e.g., lifetime history of comorbid disorders), and the number of episodes of care for treatment of the eating disorder.

Results: Having a diagnosis of binge eating disorder (p < .001) or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (p = .04) were associated with lower odds of readmissions. A lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder (p < .001) or self-injury (p < .001) was each associated with significantly higher odds of readmissions.

Conclusions: Care utilization may differ according to eating disorder diagnosis, with a likelihood of increased readmission for those with a history of mood disorder or self-injury. Identification of individuals with greater vulnerability for eating disorder care utilization holds potential in aiding treatment and discharge planning, and development.

Level Of Evidence: Level III: evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.