Preparing for the next pandemic by understanding the impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on patients with eating Disorders: observations from an inpatient setting

The Psychological and Medical Landscape of Anorexia Nervosa over a Decade: A Retrospective Study of Possible Physical and Psychological Shifts

“…The role of psychological factors in the increase in AN requests, as indicated by our data, corresponds to findings from multiple studies conducted in different regions glob-ally [15,23,39]. These findings reinforce the notion that ED services should incorporate a comprehensive approach that integrates both psychological and medical aspects.…”

“…Furthermore, fasting usually results in rapid weight suppression, which can explain the increase in hospitalization, as well as psychopathological severity [31]. Other studies in the field of EDs have reported similar findings [14,15], indicating the possible existence of specific changes in psychopathological presentation during the acute phase of the pandemic that could be due to the presence of specific vulnerabilities or psychological effects. Another possible explanation for the reduction in the duration of the disorder is related to the social restrictions that brought families together in confined spaces.…”

“…The pandemic has been described as a traumatic event, especially for individuals with EDs, who present lasting effects even one year after the initial lockdown measures [6,13]. Numerous studies have reported increased hospitalizations related to EDs and worsened ED symptoms during the pandemic [14,15]. Specific factors contributing to these effects include reduced access to care and treatment, changes in routine and loss of structure, the negative influence of the media, and social isolation [16,17].…”

“…Looking specifically at AN, there is a growing body of evidence reporting a striking increase in the occurrence of new cases among young individuals during the pandemic, coinciding with the timing of social restrictions [19]. Several authors have already documented a change in the psychological presentation of AN during the pandemic [15,20], highlighting specific psychological burdens marked by heightened somatization, increased interpersonal sensitivity, greater levels of depression, different functioning profiles (i.e., personality traits), and heightened body uneasiness. However, it is crucial to note that AN is also marked by significant physical symptoms, encompassing cardiovascular, ionic, and hormonal aspects [21].…”

The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder features and comorbid psychopathology among adolescents with anorexia nervosa and matched controls: a comparative cohort design study

“…It is hypothesized that the interaction between imposed restrictions, coping strategies, and the presence of risk factors (i.e., fear of contagion, feeling of increased isolation) and resilience factors (more family cohesion, less social pressure) [ 53 ] contributed significantly to the symptom presentation of AN and may explain the differential findings. Two other studies conducted in both adolescent and adult inpatients with an ED [ 54 , 55 ] using a similar case–case design also demonstrated higher levels of ED symptoms and psychopathology in the peri-pandemic ED cohort compared to the pre-pandemic ED cohort. As these studies did not differentiate between adolescents and adults, and were conducted in inpatients with different types of ED, they were not directly comparable to our study.…”