Sara Richter

The meaning of (quality of) life in patients with eating disorders: A comparison of generic and disease-specific measures across diagnosis and outcome

OBJECTIVE Compare general and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among female patients with an eating disorder (ED). METHOD Female patients (n = 221; 95.3% Caucasian; 94.0% never married) completed the Medical Outcome Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Eating Disorders Quality of Life (EDQoL) as part of a study of treatment outcomes. Multivariate regression models were used to compare HRQoL differences across initial ED diagnosis (85 AN-R, 19 AN-B/P, 27 BN, 90 EDNOS) and ED diagnostic classification at time of outcome assessment (140 no ED, 38 subthreshold ED, 43 full threshold ED). RESULTS There were no significant differences across ED diagnosis at initial assessment on either of the SF-36 Component Summary scores. However, patients with AN-B/P scored poorer on the work/school EDQoL subscales than other ED diagnoses, and on the psychological EDQoL subscale compared to AN-R and EDNOS. At outcome assessment, comparisons across full threshold, subthreshold and no ED classification indicated that those with no ED reported better HRQoL than those with full threshold ED on the SF-36 Mental Components Summary and three of four EDQoL subscales. Furthermore, those with no ED reported better psychological HRQoL than those with subthreshold ED. DISCUSSION Disease-specific HRQOL measures are important to use when comparing HRQoL in ED patients across treatment and outcome, and may have the sensitivity to detect meaningful differences by diagnosis more so than generic instruments. EDQoL scores from patients remitted from symptoms approach but do not reach scores for unaffected college females; thus, treatment should continue until quality of life is restored.

Characteristics of persons with an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes and psychological comparisons with persons with an eating disorder and no diabetes

OBJECTIVES Describe characteristics of patients who have both an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes and compare their responses on psychological tests with those with an eating disorder and no diabetes at time of initial assessment to an eating disorder facility. METHOD A chart audit conducted on all 48 patients with ED-DMT1 who were seen collaboratively by the diabetes and eating disorder treatment teams between 2005 and 2008 at Park Nicollet Health Services and 96 (1:2) matched eating disordered controls. RESULTS Diabetes was diagnosed an average of 10.2 years (SD = 9.4) before the diagnosis of an eating disorder; HbA1c at initial assessment was 11% (±3.2%). Those without diabetes reported greater depression (p = .048) and greater state and trait anxiety (p = .015 and p = .039, respectively) at initial assessment. DISCUSSION Persons with both an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes were less psychologically compromised than their matched cohorts with an eating disorder only. These findings may not remain constant during the course of treatment.

Poor Outcome and Death among Youth, Young Adults, and Midlife Adults with Eating Disorders: An Investigation of Risk Factors by Age at Assessment

OBJECTIVE Eating disorders (EDs) present across a broad age range, yet little is known about the characteristics and outcome of midlife patients compared to younger patients. Among patients seeking ED treatment who were stratified by age at initial assessment (IA), this study aimed to (1) discern sociodemographic and clinical differences, (2) determine outcome rates, and (3) identify predictors of poor outcome including death. METHOD Participants [219 females (12 years or older, 94.1% Caucasian) who completed outcome assessment and 31 known decedents] were stratified by age at IA (<18 as youth, 18-39 as young adult, and ≥40 years as midlife adult). Analyses of variance and chi-square tests identified group differences; ordered logistic regression with stepwise selection identified factors predicting outcome. RESULTS Midlife adults were more significantly compromised at follow-up compared to youths and young adults, including psychological and physical quality of life, ineffectiveness, interpersonal concerns, and general psychological maladjustment. Midlife adults had the highest rates of poor outcome or death; good outcome was achieved by only 5.9% of midlife adult compared to 14.0% of young adult and 27.5% of youth patients. Older age at IA, alcohol and/or drug misuse, endocrine concerns, and absence of family ED history predicted poor outcome or death. DISCUSSION Midlife adults seeking ED treatment have more complex medical and psychological concerns and poorer outcomes than youths and young adults; further exploration is needed to improve treatment outcome. Specialized treatment focusing on quality of life, comorbid medical concerns, interpersonal connection, and emotion regulation is encouraged.

Determining the Influence of Type 1 Diabetes on Two Common Eating Disorder Questionnaires

Purpose This research evaluated the level of influence that having type 1 diabetes (T1DM) has on responses to questions about food choices, eating concerns, dietary restraint, and others that are included on two widely used, validated eating disorder (ED) questionnaires and examined responses to these two questionnaires from patients with T1DM and an eating disorder (ED-T1DM) and an ED-no-diabetes. Method An expert panel rated each item on the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Eating Disorders Inventory, version 3 (EDI-3) regarding T1DM level of influence on item interpretation. These questionnaires were completed by 2 matched samples (ED-T1DM, n = 48 and ED-no-diabetes, n = 96); responses were compared between the samples with particular attention to items of high T1DM influence. Results The expert panel identified that 50% (19/38) of the items on the EDE-Q and 6.6% (6/91) on the EDI-3 could be highly influenced by having T1DM. Before Bonferroni correction, the 2 groups responded statistically different on 9 out of 38 items on the EDE-Q and 27 out of 91 items on the EDI-3; generally responses were healthier for those with ED-T1DM than ED-no-diabetes. Of these items, on the EDE-Q, 5 were rated high T1DM influence and on the EDI-3, 3 were rated high. Conclusion Having T1DM influences responses on ED questionnaires developed for the general population. This influence may be greater when questionnaires focus on eating, weight, and shape and result in misinterpretation of total and subscale scores by even well-trained clinicians. A careful review of individual item responses by the treatment team is warranted.

Eating disorder treatment among women forty and older: Increases in prevalence over time and comparisons to young adult patients!

OBJECTIVES There is limited information on the prevalence of middle-aged women seeking specialized treatment for an eating disorder and whether middle-aged patients are significantly different from young-adult patients. This two-part study sought to identify changes in the past two decades in the prevalence of middle-aged (MA; 40+ years) and young-adult (YA; 18-39 years) women seeking treatment for an eating disorder (ED) and to identify differences and similarities between both groups. METHODS For study 1, all unique female inpatient admissions from 1989 to 2006 were reviewed (n=1,040). For study 2, women admitted to any treatment level from January-May 2007 were compared, based on age at intake admission, on psychological questionnaires and factors relevant to an eating disorder. RESULTS In study 1, the overall percent of MA women who presented for inpatient ED treatment increased significantly from an average of 4.7% (1989-2001) to an average of 11.6% (2002-2006). In study 2, at intake, MA women were more likely than YA to be married, be older at ED onset and report a longer duration of illness. Self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ED psychopathology, and BMI were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate an increase in the prevalence of inpatient admissions among middle-aged women, but few differences between middle-aged and younger-aged women at treatment admission. However, the longer duration of illness among MA warrants in-depth investigation of factors related to resistance to seeking treatment and to existing treatments failing patients, and consideration of tailoring treatment to course of illness.

No Change in Physician Dictation Patterns When Visit Notes Are Made Available Online for Patients

OBJECTIVE To determine whether physicians document office visits differently when they know their patients have easy, online access to visit notes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a natural experiment with a pre-post design and a nonrandomized control group. The setting was a multispecialty group practice in Minnesota. We reviewed a total of 400 visit notes: 100 each for patients seen in a rheumatology department (intervention group) and a pulmonary medicine department (control group) from July 1 to August 30, 2005, before online access to notes, and 100 each for patients seen in these 2 departments 1 year later, from July 1 to August 30, 2006, when only rheumatology patients had online access to visit notes. We measured changes in visit note content related to 9 hypotheses for increased patient understanding and 5 for decreased frank or judgmental language. RESULTS Changes occurred for 2 of the 9 hypotheses related to patient understanding, both in an unpredicted direction. The proportion of acronyms or abbreviations increased more in the notes of rheumatologists than of pulmonologists (0.6% vs 0.1%; P=.01), whereas the proportion of anatomy understood decreased more in the notes of rheumatologists than of pulmonologists (-5.9% vs -0.8%; P=.02). One change (of 5 possible) occurred related to the use of frank or judgmental terms. Mentions of mental health status decreased in rheumatology notes and increased in pulmonology notes (-8% vs 7%; P=.02). CONCLUSION Dictation patterns appear relatively stable over time with or without online patient access to visit notes.

A self-report instrument measuring readiness to change disordered eating behaviors: The Eating Disorders Stage of Change

Objective: To evaluate the utility of the Eating Disorders Stage of Change (EDSOC), a behavior-specific readiness questionnaire. Method: Patients (N=145) at a multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment facility in the United States completed the EDSOC and other questionnaires. Results: One-week test-retest reliability was strong across eating disorder diagnoses and age groups. Convergent validity was strongest when the behavior in question was congruent with the diagnosis (e.g., purging behaviors for bulimia nervosa diagnosis) and compared to the patient’s own intention to complete treatment. Divergent validity was demonstrated against body mass index values and age. However, the EDSOC and Body Shape Questionnaire were inversely correlated, suggesting that increased body shape concerns are associated with decreased intention to change a behavior. Conclusion: This preliminary cost-effective, behavior-specific measure demonstrates good psychometric properties and is appropriate for use with children and adults. Across diagnosis, the instrument should be used by looking at each single item instead of summing a total score across disparate eating disorder behaviors.

Eating disorders in persons with type 1 diabetes: A focus group investigation of early eating disorder risk:

Through focus groups, we examined the development and maintenance of an eating disorder in 16 females with type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder. The quotes and qualitative data summaries provide rich insights into understanding why those with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk for eating disorders. Content analyses revealed five themes pertinent to the dual diagnosis (feeling different, difficulty with control/coping, body image, feelings, and quality of life) of which four themes were relevant to eating disorder development. Findings support early identification of those at risk and inform interventions to mitigate development of an eating disorder.

Diabetes Distress Among Persons With Type 1 Diabetes: Associations With Disordered Eating, Depression, and Other Psychological Health Concerns

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate associations between diabetes distress and a range of psychological health behaviors and concerns among persons with type 1 diabetes for the benefit of enhancing early identification and intervention of at-risk individuals. Methods Persons with type 1 diabetes (n = 268; 57.1% female, 91.0% white, 76.8% <18 years of age, average A1C 8.4%) completed the 2-item Diabetes Distress Screening Scale (DDS2) and a battery of psychometrically sound instruments measuring satisfaction with life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, depression, perfectionism, body image satisfaction, dietary restraint and eating, and shape and weight concerns. Each subscale score was compared within age groups (<18 years vs ≥18 years) between groups (diabetes distress level [low, moderate, high]) using analysis of variance (with Bonferroni correction or the Kruskal-Wallis test if the variables were not normally distributed). Results For both age groups, high diabetes distress was independently associated with greater A1C values, higher depression scores and eating, and shape and weight concerns than those with low or moderate distress. For patients <18 years of age, those with high diabetes distress scored lower on measures of satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and self-efficacy and higher on dietary restraint and several areas of perfectionism than those with low or moderate distress. Conclusions Individuals with type 1 diabetes who have high diabetes distress also report higher A1C values and poorer psychological health concerns. A brief diabetes distress questionnaire can help to identify those who need additional screening, education and support, and treatment for overall health and well-being.

Time Savings Using a Standardized Glucose Reporting System and Ambulatory Glucose Profile

Background: Diabetes care is predominately done at home by the patient. When clinics do not have a reliable, easy process for obtaining this patient data, clinical decisions must be made with incomplete verbal recall reports. Unused or inaccessible glucose data represent a large information gap affecting clinical decision making. This study’s purpose was to design an optimized glucose device download system with a standardized report and to evaluate its efficiency. Methods: Observations and evaluations of glucose data retrieval occurred at two clinics; an additional clinic utilized the optimized process doing only post process timings. Patients/families and clinicians were surveyed about their experiences with the system and the standardized report (AGP). The study was approved by all the sites’ IRBs. Results: Optimized systems saved staff at least 3 min per patient. Standardized AGP reports and an optimized data system made the work flow of glucose data easier to complete. The AGP report was preferred by patients, families, and clinicians. Conclusions: An optimized system takes advantage of patient lobby downtime to download glucose devices and ensures that diabetes clinical decisions are made utilizing all available data. Staff and patients liked the software lobby system and found it a valuable time-saving tool.