General practitioner and mental healthcare use in a community sample of people with diagnostic threshold symptoms of bulimia nervosa, binge‐eating disorder, and other eating disorders

Abstract

ObjectiveLengthy delays in receiving treatment have been reported for people with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge‐eating disorder (BED). This study aimed to investigate healthcare use and predictors of mental health specialist healthcare use in a community sample of individuals with diagnostic threshold symptoms of BN, BED‐Broad, or another eating disorder (Other ED).MethodIn 2017, 2,977 individuals aged ≥15 years were interviewed in a general population survey. Participants were asked questions relating to sociodemographic, ED symptoms, other clinical features, and healthcare use data. Assessment of ED symptoms was based on diagnostic questions derived from the eating disorder examination.ResultsThirty‐six participants with symptoms of BN, 33 participants with BED‐Broad, and 369 with an Other ED were identified. Fewer people with symptoms of BN/BED‐Broad (23%) or an Other ED (6%) had treatment from a mental health specialist than from a general practitioner (GP; 80%, 71.6%). Healthcare use differed significantly across type of ED only for treatment from a mental health specialist. In multivariate analyses, being asked about a person's mental health by a GP was the best explanatory variable for receiving treatment from a mental health specialist.DiscussionA large treatment gap exists in healthcare for people with EDs. Inquiry about an individual's mental health by a GP was associated with higher rates of treatment from mental health specialists. However, a similar diet/eating inquiry did not have this association. Future research should consider the use of this patient and practitioner consultation in targeting improved detection of EDs.

Cost-of-illness for non-underweight binge-eating disorders

“…The current study is one of the first to estimate societal costs of EDs focusing on a sample characterised by regular binge eating in the absence of low weight. Although this population is at low risk of hospital admission [43], costs associated with both healthcare use and productivity losses were high, and comparable with previous estimates for similar disorders. Findings highlight the significant cost of EDs in individuals who are not underweight (those most commonly seen in clinical practice) and underscore the need for efficacious and cost-effective interventions.…”

Eating disorders in university students in Lodz, the role of a family physician

“…australian scientists emphasized a large treatment gap in healthcare for people with eDs. they ascertained that being asked about a person's mental health by an FP was the most effective way to receive treatment from a mental health specialist [28]. israeli scientists indicated that an FP decides about hospitalization, referral or continuation of therapy; therefore, they can create a therapeutic liaison.…”

Driving better intervention outcomes in eating disorders: A systematic synthesis of research priority setting and the involvement of consumer input

“…The lack of recognition of EDs in primary health-care settings (Keski-Rahkonen et al, 2009) is an issue that requires innovative research to examine a systems approaches to improving detection and the resulting impact on patients and their families (Cadwallader, Godart, Chastang, Falissard, & Huas, 2016). Improved consideration of mental health issues in weight and diet related presentations to primary care physicians may be a start (Hay et al, 2020). Probably, the most pressing transition concern is that between adolescent and adult services, given that the peak age of onset for EDs is 15-25 years and the average duration of illness is 6 years (Schmidt et al, 2016), which will result in a significant number of patients being transferred from child and adolescent mental health services to adult services (Winston, Paul, & Juanola-Borrat, 2012).…”