The Effectiveness of Eating Disorder Treatment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Family-based treatment (FBT), a form of family therapy for eating disorders (ED) in young patients, has proven to be effective in numerous large-scale studies. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of the treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) in a 'real-world' setting in a specialized outpatient clinic in Helsinki, Finland. Fifty-two young female patients seen for treatment between June 2013 and December 2017 were included in the study. Demographic and treatment characteristics, weight, and ED symptoms before and after treatment are reported

Detailed Description
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Aim: The naturalistic outcome of outpatient FBT for adolescent AN was investigated. Methods: Fifty-two female patients and their families who received FBT at a tertiary eating disorders unit participated in the study. Data on their pre-treatment parameters, treatment details, and condition at the end of treatment (EOT) was collected from their medical records

Official Title
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Effects of Family-based Treatment on Adolescent Outpatients Treated for Anorexia Nervosa in the Eating Disorder Unit of Helsinki University Hospital

Conditions
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Eating Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Family-based treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Anorexia nervosa Admitted to FBT at the Eating Disorder Unit from June 1, 2013, through December 31, 2017 Exclusion Criteria: No exclusions

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 13 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: Family-based treatment|FBT is carried out by a family therapist who has received FBT training. The duration of FBT is commonly 6-12 months, in most cases comprising 10-20 sessions. At the beginning of treatment, there are weekly sessions; later in treatment, the sessions are less frequent. The patient and their family meet their psychiatrist every four to six weeks, and the family therapist also takes part in these meetings. The treatment is implemented in accordance with the FBT treatment manual.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| % of patients with body weight normalization in treatment | Rate of patients with a normal body weight defined as a BMI over 18.5 at the end of treatment was calculated. | Treatment period, aprox. 1 year | 
| % of patients with eating disorder symptoms at the end of treatment | The data of any eating disorder symptoms detected by a psychiatrist at the end of treatment were collected from the medical records, and the incidence was calculated. | Treatment period, aprox. 1 year | 
| % of patients in need for a further treatment after the intervention | Rate of patients who still needed treatment after the FBT intervention from was assessed at the end of treatment. The data were obtained from the medical files of the patients. | Treatment period, aprox. 1 year |