A brief examination of treatment outcomes in higher levels of care for individuals with eating disorders across age groups

Objective

Although eating disorders (EDs) occur throughout the lifespan, little research has been conducted with midlife/older adults, particularly those in higher levels of care (HLOC). The current study examined outcomes among 2009 patients with EDs receiving HLOC treatment at a large multisite facility between January 2020 and June 2022, across different age groups (ages <18, 18–25, 26–39 and ≥40). It was hypothesised that patients aged 40+ would exhibit less improvement on measures of ED psychopathology and depression than other age groups.

Method

Participants completed the eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at admission and discharge.

Results

Changes for all outcomes from admission to discharge were statistically significant at p < 0.001 across all age groups. Changes in the EDE-Q Restraint subscale were significantly less in patients ages 26–39 than in patients ages 18–25 (p < 0.01). Changes in PHQ-9 were significantly greater in patients ages 40+ than patients ages 18–25 (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Contrary to hypotheses, patients ages 40+ did not show worse outcomes than younger patients, and showed greater improvements in depression than young adults. The therapeutic needs of midlife/older adults with EDs may be favourably met by a HLOC regimen as described in this study.