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How effective is outpatient care compared to inpatient care for the treatment of anorexia nervosa? a systematic review
Author(s) -
Meads Catherine,
Gold Lisa,
Burls Amanda
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.406
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , eating disorders , randomized controlled trial , medicine , inpatient care , bulimia nervosa , psychiatry , anorexia , medline , health care , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Objective: To review systematically inpatient compared to outpatient care for the treatment of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. Method: Search of electronic databases, references and contact with experts to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case–control studies and case series. Study quality was assessed and data extracted by two independent researchers. Results: Two RCTs and seven case series were identified. Unpublished 5‐year follow‐up data from one RCT showed a (non‐statistically significant) improvement in percentage well in the outpatient compared to the inpatient group, but no difference in mortality. Case series were difficult to interpret because of the inherent biases – follow‐up varied from 1.5 to 11.7 years and showed wide variations in outcome. Discussion: There is no evidence that inpatient treatment is more (or less) effective than outpatient treatment for people with anorexia nervosa in the long term. Short‐term emergency inpatient treatment of the consequences of eating disorders may still be necessary. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.