Frontiers in Psychiatry (Nov 2020)

Exploring Differences in the Role of Hospitalization on Weight Gain Based on Treatment Type From Randomized Clinical Trials for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

  • Nandini Datta,
  • Brittany E. Matheson,
  • Daniel Le Grange,
  • Daniel Le Grange,
  • Harry A. Brandt,
  • Harry A. Brandt,
  • Blake Woodside,
  • Blake Woodside,
  • Katherine A. Halmi,
  • Denise E. Wilfley,
  • James D. Lock

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.609675
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Background: This study explores the impact of weight gain during medical stabilization hospitalization on weight outcomes between three outpatient treatments for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN): Adolescent Focused Therapy (AFT), Systemic Family Therapy (SyFT), and Family Based Treatment (FBT).Methods: A secondary analysis of weight gain data (N = 215) of adolescents (12–18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for AN (exclusive of amenorrhea criteria) who participated in two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted. Main outcomes examined were changes in weight restoration (≥95% expected body weight or EBW) and differences in weight change attributable to hospital weight gain.Results: Weight gain resulting from hospitalizations did not substantially change weight recovery rates. Hospital weight gain contributed most to overall treatment weight gain in AFT compared to FBT and SyFT.Conclusion: Brief medical stabilization weight gain does not contribute substantially to weight recovery in adolescents with AN who participated in RCTs.

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