Health services utilization in patients with eating disorders: evidence from a cohort study in Emilia-Romagna

作者：Piazza Antonella; Rucci Paola^*; Clo Massimo; Gibertoni Dino; Camellini Lucia; Di Stani Marinella; Fantini Maria Pia; Ferri Mila; Fioritti Angelo

来源：Eating and Weight Disorders, 2016, 21(4): 625-633.

DOI：10.1007/s40519-016-0323-3

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• EDNOS
• Prevalence
• Care pathway

Purpose To estimate the treated prevalence of eating disorders (ED) in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and to compare health services utilization among age groups and geographical areas.
Methods The study cohort consists of patients aged 12-64 years with a primary or secondary ED diagnosis, treated in regional healthcare facilities in 2012. Patients were followed up for 1 year from the first contact. Data were extracted from regional administrative databases.
Results The study cohort included 1550 cases, 36.8 % with anorexia nervosa, 21.9 % with bulimia nervosa and 41.3 % with ED not otherwise specified. Adolescents (12-17 years) were 18.6 %, young adults (18-30) 32.7 % and older adults (31-64) 48.7 %. The annual treated prevalence rate was 5.2/10,000 (13.3 for adolescents, 9.3 for young adults and 3.4 for older adults) and was highest among adolescent (24.6/10,000) and young adult females (17.1/10,000). Cases without a record for ED in the previous year were 46.8 %. Older adults displayed higher comorbidity and used more services including hospital-based care. Outpatient care greatly exceeded inpatient care across age groups. Variations in care patterns across regional areas were found.
Conclusions Our results indicate that the care pathway for ED varies among age groups and geographical areas, but is consistent with the regional care model that favors the use of outpatient services. Future perspectives include evaluating the integration among mental health services, specialty outpatient units and primary care.

• 出版日期2016-12