Trends and description of inpatient admissions for eating disorders among children and adolescents in Ireland: 2018-2022.

Abstract

Background: International data suggests that the incidence of and health service need for eating disorder care is increasing. People affected by eating disorders (ED) may require a mixture of acute medical care and psychiatric care during their treatment and recovery.

Objective: To examine the medical and psychiatric admission profiles of children and adolescents (under 18-year-olds) with a diagnosis of an ED between 2018 and 2022 in Ireland.

Method: Data relating to under 18-year-olds from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) system, the National Psychiatric Inpatient Reporting System (NPIRS) and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) community ED teams from 2018 to 2022 were retrospectively analysed.

Results: There were 1573 inpatient admissions due to eating disorders between 2018 and 2022. The majority of admissions were to acute medical hospitals (76%; 1203). Throughout the study period, the average episode-based ED admission rate was 52.9 per 100,000 of 10-18-year-olds in the population. Anorexia Nervosa was the most common eating disorder diagnosis to psychiatric hospitals accounting for nine-in-ten admissions (anorexia nervosa 87%; 321 and atypical anorexia 4%; 15). There has been a 121% increase in the number of inpatient admissions (acute medical hospitals and inpatient psychiatric hospitals data combined) with an ED diagnosis over the 5-year study period. Between 2018 and 2022, there were 902 referrals to the two specialist community ED teams. 18% of under 18-year-olds diagnosed with an eating disorder by community ED services result in inpatient admission.

Conclusions: Additional funding and capacity for eating disorder services in both inpatient and community settings is required to meet Ireland's current and future need if observed trends continue.