Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD in eating disorder treatment-seekers: Prevalence and associations with symptom severity.

Although childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been well-researched in eating disorder epidemiology, prevalence rates are unavailable for complex PTSD (CPTSD). Under recently introduced ICD-11 criteria, individuals with CPTSD have both PTSD symptoms and additional disturbances in self-organization (DSO). Using ICD-11 criteria, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD and DSO symptoms, diagnostic rates of PTSD and CPTSD, and childhood trauma exposure in eating disorder treatment-seekers. Participants (N = 217) were individuals attending residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services who completed measures of eating disorder- and trauma-related symptoms and childhood adverse experiences. One third of participants reported PTSD symptoms, and over half reported DSO symptoms, with probable ICD-11 diagnostic rates of 3.8% for PTSD and 28.4% for CPTSD. CPTSD was significantly more prevalent than PTSD and more common in higher levels of care. Both PTSD and DSO symptom severity were positively correlated with eating disorder symptoms and impairment, rs = .285-.642. DSO symptom severity was a significant and unique explanatory factor of eating disorder severity and impairment. The findings highlight the prevalence of CPTSD in eating disorder populations and the association between DSO symptoms and eating psychopathology independent of PTSD symptoms. Implications are discussed for adjunct treatment approaches for individuals with comorbid eating disorders and PTSD or CPTSD.

Perineal fibroadenoma masquerading as a soft-tissue sarcoma: a case report.

We report a case of a perineal fibroadenoma initially diagnosed on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging as a soft tissue sarcoma in a 35-year-old female. Following wide local excision, histopathology revealed the lesion as a vulval fibroadenoma. We provide an overview of the literature and highlight the need to consider fibroadenoma, arising from ectopic breast tissue, as an important differential for general surgeons and gynaecologists caring for patients with perineal masses.

Evaluation of a model of online, facilitated, peer group supervision for dietitians working in eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: The recently published Australia and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED) practice and training standards for dietitians providing eating disorder treatment recommended dietitians working in eating disorders (EDs) seek further clinical experience, training, and supervision to provide effective evidence-informed treatment. Access to dietetic clinical supervision is problematic, secondary to limited trained supervisors, location, cost, and lack of organizational support. Demand for clinical supervision increased with the 2022 introduction of ANZAED credentialing for eating disorder (ED) clinicians in Australia and addition of the Eating Disorder Management Plan to the Medicare Benefits Scheme. In 2018, QuEDS piloted a model of online peer group supervision with the goal of increasing service capacity to provide ED-specific clinical supervision to dietitians. Positive evaluation of the pilot led to the rollout of QuEDS Facilitated Peer Supervision (QuEDS FPS) program which was evaluated for utility and acceptability. METHODS: By August 2021 five QuEDS FPS groups were established each with a maximum of 10 Queensland-based dietitians from public hospital, community, or private practice plus an additional Facilitator and Co-facilitator. A total of 76 participants enrolled in the program over the study period in addition to the 10 participants from the pilot program. Participant experience was evaluated with anonymous, voluntary surveys at baseline (59 responses), 6 months follow-up (37 responses), plus a one-off survey in August 2021 (50 responses). Pilot participant's Baseline and Follow-up surveys were not included in this evaluation. RESULTS: Survey responses were positive across the four Kirkpatrick training evaluation domains of reaction, learning, behavior, and results. Respondents reported positive change to clinical practice (98%), including increased confidence to implement evidence-informed guidelines, and improved engagement with, and advocacy for, ED clients. Service capacity to provide supervision was increased by high participant to Facilitator ratios (10 participants to one Facilitator and one Co-facilitator) and recruitment of external Facilitators. Respondents indicated they would recommend QuEDS FPS to other dietitians and 96% planned to continue with the program. CONCLUSIONS: QuEDS FPS program increases capacity to provide supervision with demonstrated positive impacts on dietitians' confidence and ability to deliver dietetic interventions in the ED arena and, by inference, the dietetic care of people with an ED.

Telehealth-delivered, Cardioprotective Diet and Exercise Program for Liver Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Feasibility Study.

Rapid excess weight gain and metabolic complications contribute to poor outcomes following liver transplant care. Providing specialist lifestyle intervention with equitable access is a challenge for posttransplant service delivery. METHODS: This study investigated the feasibility of a 12-wk telehealth delivered lifestyle intervention for liver transplant recipients (randomized controlled trial with a delayed intervention control group). The intervention included 14 group sessions facilitated by nutrition and exercise specialists via video streaming telehealth and participants used their own devices. Feasibility was assessed across session attendance, the adequacy, acceptability, and confidence with the telehealth technology and adherence to diet (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score). Secondary pooled analysis of effectiveness was determined from changes in quality of life and metabolic syndrome severity score. RESULTS: Of the 35 participants randomized, dropout was 22.8% (n = 8) and overall session attendance rate was 60%. Confidence with and adequacy of home technology was rated high in 96% and 91% of sessions, respectively. Participants randomized to the intervention significantly improved Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (2-point increase [95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.4] versus control 0 point change [95% confidence interval, -1.4 to 1.2]; P = 0.004). Intervention (within group) analysis found the intervention significantly decreased the metabolic syndrome severity score (-0.4 [95% confidence interval, -0.6 to -0.1] P = 0.01), and improved mental health-related quality of life (2.5 [95% confidence interval, 0.4-4.6] P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A cardioprotective lifestyle intervention delivered via telehealth is feasible for liver transplant recipients and may improve access to specialist care to support metabolic health and wellness after transplant.

Agreement and Reliability of Clinician-in-Clinic Versus Patient-at-Home Clinical and Functional Assessments: Implications for Telehealth Services.

OBJECTIVE: To compare agreement and reliability between clinician-measured and patient self-measured clinical and functional assessments for use in remote monitoring, in a home-based setting, using telehealth. DESIGN: Reliability study: repeated-measure, within-subject design. SETTING: Trained clinicians measured standard clinical and functional parameters at a face-to-face clinic appointment. Participants were instructed on how to perform the measures at home and to repeat self-assessments within 1 week. PARTICIPANTS: Liver transplant recipients (LTRs) (N=18) (52±14y, 56% men, 5.4±4.3y posttransplant] completed the home self-assessments. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes assessed were body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), waist circumference, repeated chair sit-to-stand (STST), maximal push-ups, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Intertester reliability and agreement between face-to-face clinician and self-reported home-based participant measures were determined by intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots, which were compared with minimal clinically important differences (MCID) (determined a priori). RESULTS: The mean difference (95% confidence interval) and [limits of agreement] for measures (where positive values indicate lower participant value) were weight, 0.7 (0.01-1.4) kg [-2.2 to 3.6kg]; waist 0.4 (-1.2 to 2.0) cm [-5.9 to 6.8cm]; SBP 7.7 (0.6-14.7 ) mmHg [-19.4 to 34.9mmHg]; DBP 2.4 (-1.4 to 6.2 ) mmHg [-12.2 to 17.0mmHg]; 6MWT, 7.5 (-29.1 to 44.1) m [-127.3 to 142.4m]; STST 0.5 (-0.8 to 1.7) seconds [-4.3 to 5.3s]; maximal push-ups -2.2 (-4.4 to -0.1) [-10.5 to 6.0]. ICCs were all >0.75 except for STST (ICC=0.73). Mean differences indicated good agreement than MCIDs; however, wide limits of agreement indicated large individual variability in agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, LTRs can reliably self-assess clinical and functional measures at home. However, there was wide individual variability in accuracy and agreement, with no functional assessment being performed within acceptable limits relative to MCIDs >80% of the time.