Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the development and worsening of eating disorder (ED) symptoms in adolescents and young adults. In order to examine COVID-19-related trends in ED care-seeking at our institution.

Methods

We used interrupted time series regression to examine pre- and postpandemic monthly summary data of the following: (1) ED-related inpatient admissions for medical stabilization; (2) ED-related hospital bed-days; (3) completed outpatient ED assessments; and (4) ED outpatient care-related inquiries at a children’s hospital in Boston, MA.

Results

Inpatient admissions, hospital bed-days, and outpatient care-related inquiries increased on average over time postpandemic compared to stable volume over time prepandemic (p < .01). Outpatient assessments decreased precipitously initially following COVID-19-related limitations, and rose quickly back to baseline.

Conclusion

These results indicate increased need for ED-related care during the pandemic. Bolstering resources to meet the needs of these vulnerable patients is critical as the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 大流行对寻求饮食失调相关护理的青少年/年轻人数量的影响

目的

COVID-19 大流行导致青少年和年轻人饮食失调 (ED) 症状的发展和恶化。为了检查我们机构 ED 就医中与 COVID-19 相关的趋势。

方法

我们使用中断的时间序列回归来检查大流行前后的以下每月汇总数据：（1）与 ED 相关的住院患者入院以进行医疗稳定；(2) ED 相关的住院天数；(3) 完成门诊急诊评估；(4) 马萨诸塞州波士顿一家儿童医院的急诊科门诊护理相关询问。

结果

与大流行前时间稳定的数量相比，住院人数、住院天数和与门诊护理相关的询问平均随着时间的推移而增加（p < .01）。在与 COVID-19 相关的限制之后，门诊评估最初急剧下降，并迅速回升至基线。

结论

这些结果表明在大流行期间对 ED 相关护理的需求增加。随着大流行的影响继续显现，增加资源以满足这些弱势患者的需求至关重要。