Does embedding pediatric eating disorder treatment in primary care bridge the access gap?

Given the numerous barriers to accessing child and adolescent eating disorder treatment, there is a need for innovation in how this care is delivered. Primary care-based eating disorder treatment has established proof-of-concept, yet it is unclear whether this model can bridge the treatment-access gap. This retrospective chart review study compared demographic and illness characteristics of 106 adolescents (M age = 15.1 years) SD = 1.8 consecutively evaluated in a primary care-based eating disorder clinic with 103 adolescent patients (M age = 15.2 years) SD = 2.2 seen consecutively in a specialty eating disorder clinic at the same medical center. Relative to adolescents in specialty care, those in the primary care group presented at a significantly higher BMI percentile, had less weight suppression, a shorter illness duration, lower rates of amenorrhea and lower scores on the EDE-Q Dietary Restraint subscale. In addition, more patients in the primary care group identified as non-white and had government/public assistance insurance compared to those in the specialty group. The results suggest that, compared to traditional specialty care clinics, embedded eating disorder treatment in primary care may reach a more racially and socioeconomically diverse group of adolescents when they are earlier in the course of their illness. Future research determining the relative effectiveness of this model as compared to interventions delivered in specialty care is needed.

Adapting Behavioral Treatments for Primary Care Using a Theory-Based Framework: The Case of Adolescent Eating Disorders.

Evidence-based treatments have been developed for a range of pediatric mental health conditions. These interventions have proven efficacy but require trained pediatric behavioral health specialists for their administration. Unfortunately, the widespread shortage of behavioral health specialists leaves few referral options for primary care providers. As a result, primary care providers are frequently required to support young patients during their lengthy and often fruitless search for specialty treatment. One solution to this treatment-access gap is to draw from the example of integrated behavioral health and adapt brief evidence-based treatments for intra-disciplinary delivery by primary care providers in consultation with mental health providers. This solution has potential to expand access to evidence-based interventions and improve patient outcomes. We outline how an 8-step theory-based process for adapting evidence-based interventions, developed from a scoping review of the wide range of implementation science frameworks, can guide treatment development and implementation for pediatric behavioral health care delivery in the primary care setting, using an example of our innovative treatment adaptation for child and adolescent eating disorders. After reviewing the literature, obtaining input from leaders in eating disorder treatment research, and engaging community stakeholders, we adapted Family-Based Treatment for delivery in primary care. Pilot data suggest that the intervention is feasible to implement in primary care and preliminary findings suggest a large effect on adolescent weight gain. Our experience using this implementation framework provides a model for primary care providers looking to develop intra-disciplinary solutions for other areas where specialty services are insufficient to meet patient needs.

The Role of Primary Care in Bridging Adolescents Awaiting Eating Disorder Treatment.

The striking rise in adolescent eating disorders since the severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome 2 pandemic has amplified demands for specialty eating disorders services and contributed to protracted delays in care. In the context of these delays, patients are at risk for increased weight loss, medical instability, escalating disease progression and poor prognosis. Primary care providers (PCPs) are frequently the first point of contact for young patients with eating disorders and are often left to bridge the gap while families struggle to establish specialty care. Yet, beyond case detection and medical comanagement, there are no evidence-based guidelines that can assist PCPs to prepare families for treatment, halt disease progression, and begin the lengthy process of weight and nutritional restoration in efforts to reduce medical complications and support a favorable prognosis. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl with a restrictive eating disorder to illustrate how PCPs can use intervention principles and strategies derived from evidence-based eating disorder treatment to successfully manage adolescent patients until they can access specialty treatment. We offer concrete guidelines for decision-making, as well as suggested behavioral and medical interventions for the PCP. With evidence-based tools, PCPs are well-positioned to support young patients with restrictive eating disorders and their family members as they begin the process of recovery from an eating disorder.

Can adolescents with eating disorders be treated in primary care? A retrospective clinical cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is considered the first-line intervention for adolescent anorexia nervosa. However, access to this treatment is limited. Treatment programs for other pediatric mental health conditions have successfully overcome barriers to accessing evidence-based intervention by integrating mental health services into primary care. This study evaluated the proof-of-concept of a novel modification of FBT, Family-Based Treatment for Primary Care (FBT-PC) for adolescent restrictive eating disorders designed for delivery by primary care providers in their practices. METHODS: This retrospective clinical cohort study evaluated 15 adolescents with restrictive eating disorders receiving FBT-PC and 15 adolescents receiving standard FBT. We examined improvement in BMI percentile, reduction in weight suppression, and clinical benchmarks of eating disorder recovery including weight restoration to > 95% of expected body weight (EBW) and resolution of DSM-5 criteria for eating disorders. RESULTS: In both groups, effect sizes for increased BMI percentile exceeded Cohen's convention for a large effect (FBT-PC: d = .94; standard FBT: d = 1.15) as did effect sizes for reduction in weight suppression (FBT-PC: d = 1.83; standard FBT: d = 1.21). At the end of treatment, 80% of the FBT-PC cohort and 87% in the standard FBT group achieved > 95%EBW and 67% in the FBT-PC group and 60% in the standard FBT group no longer met DSM-5 criteria for an eating disorder. There were no cohort differences in the number of treatment drop-outs or referrals to a more intensive level of eating disorder treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that primary care providers have potential to improve weight and clinical status in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders. Based on these results, more rigorous testing of the FBT-PC model is warranted.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is considered the first-choice intervention for adolescent anorexia nervosa. However, finding a qualified provider in this modality is difficult. Treatment programs for other pediatric mental health conditions have successfully overcome barriers to accessing quality treatment by integrating mental health services into primary care. This study evaluated the proof-of-concept of a novel modification of FBT, Family-Based Treatment for Primary Care (FBT-PC) for adolescent restrictive eating disorders designed for delivery by primary care providers in their practices. This study examined weight gain in 15 adolescents with restrictive eating disorders receiving FBT-PC and 15 adolescents receiving standard FBT. At the end of treatment, both groups showed large improvements in BMI percentile and large decreases in weight suppression. Each group had the same number of drop-outs and referrals to more intensive eating disorder treatment. Findings suggest that primary care providers have potential to improve weight and clinical status in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders. Based on these preliminary results, more rigorous testing of the FBT-PC model is indicated.

Engaging primary care providers in managing pediatric eating disorders: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: The primary care setting offers an attractive opportunity for, not only the identification of pediatric eating disorders, but also the delivery of evidence-based treatment. However, constraints of this setting pose barriers for implementing treatment. For interventions to be successful, they need to take into consideration the perspectives of stakeholders. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine in-depth primary care providers' perspective of challenges to identifying and managing eating disorders in the primary care setting. METHODS: This mixed methods study surveyed 60 Pediatric and Family Medicine providers across 6 primary care practices. Sixteen of these providers were further interviewed using a qualitative, semi-structured interview. RESULTS: Providers (n = 60, response rate of 45%) acknowledged the potential of primary care as a point of contact for early identification and treatment of pediatric eating disorders. They also expressed that this was an area of need in their practices. They identified numerous barriers to successful implementation of evidence-based treatment in this setting including scarcity of time, knowledge, and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations seeking to build capacities in primary care settings to address eating disorders must address these barriers.

Addressing Disparities in Adolescent Eating Disorders: A Case Report of Family-Based Treatment in Primary Care.

Eating disorders typically have a protracted course, marked by significant morbidity. Male adolescents and adolescents of color are at risk of delayed care. Primary care providers are well-positioned to identify eating disorders early and initiate treatment. This case report describes an adaptation of Family-Based Treatment delivered by a primary care provider to an Asian-American male adolescent from an immigrant family with restrictive anorexia nervosa. The adolescent achieved full-weight restoration and remission of his anorexia through treatment in primary care. Embedding eating disorder treatment within primary care could improve detection, engagement, and retention in treatment among young people from diverse backgrounds.

A primary care modification of family-based treatment for adolescent restrictive eating disorders.

Although eating disorders pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of children and adolescents, due to a profound scarcity of specialty providers, only a small percentage of patients receives evidence-based treatment. To improve access to care for restrictive eating disorders, we developed a modified version of Family-Based Treatment to be delivered by primary care providers (PCPs) and conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of this intervention. Fifteen adolescents (mean age = 15.5 years) with restrictive eating disorders and their caregiver(s) were enrolled in Family-Based Treatment for Primary Care (FBT-PC), delivered by three trained PCPs. Retention for the intervention was high (n = 13, 86.7%). Over the course of 3 months, participants attended an average of 9.2 (SD = 2.8) sessions and experienced a significant increase in BMI percentile from 39.1 to 54.8 (t (13) = -6.71, p < .001; d = .61). FBT-PC appears to be feasible for implementation in the primary care setting and has the potential to improve access to treatment and yield positive outcomes for young patients with restrictive eating disorders.

Coronary artery thickening with mucosal lesions in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis of childhood. It is usually self-limiting and is characterized by an immune complex-mediated vasculitis associated with IgA deposition. We present an unusual case of HSP with mucosal lesions and coronary artery thickening.

Pituitary apoplexy presenting as Addisonian crisis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Addisonian crisis, also commonly referred to as adrenal crisis, occurs when the cortisol produced by the adrenal glands is insufficient to meet the body's acute needs. The symptoms are nonspecific and can mimic other processes, such as sepsis. Hypotension, lethargy, and fever can all be presenting signs. Secondary addisonian crisis can also result from pituitary apoplexy. Pituitary apoplexy usually occurs as hemorrhagic or ischemic necrosis in the presence of a pre-existing pituitary adenoma, and is a rare sequela of surgery. The symptoms of pituitary apoplexy are typically impressive and are relieved by urgent transsphenoidal decompression. Hypopituitarism resulting from pituitary apoplexy can be treated with exogenous hormones. The case presented herein illustrates occult pituitary apoplexy that occurred after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. In this patient, the initial signs of addisonian crisis were overlooked; however, once recognized, they were reduced dramatically with standard stress-dose cortisone. A suprasellar mass with a cystic component was found on magnetic resonance imaging. The hemorrhagic pituitary gland was treated by transsphenoidal decompression, which relieved the patient's bitemporal hemianopia and 6th-nerve palsy.