Emergency Department access of patients with eating disorders and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a 20 years retrospective analysis

Abstract

Patients suffering from eating disorders represent a highly vulnerable and fragile population. The recent SARS-Co-2 pandemic and its impact on public health and behavioral habits created the conditions for an overall increase in most types of mental disturbances, thus including eating disorders. The combined effects of the psychological stress (deriving from confinement and forced cohabitation, loneliness, sadness, fear, anxiety, and concerns about the uncertainty of life) had deeply increased the psychological discomfort of these patients, with possibly a significant impact on their mental status.