Predictors of response to family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa in youth: insights from the VIBUS project.
Saved in:
| Title: | Predictors of response to family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa in youth: insights from the VIBUS project. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Bentz, Mette (AUTHOR), Pedersen, Signe Holm (AUTHOR), Moslet, Ulla (AUTHOR), Petersen, Nikolaj (AUTHOR), Pagsberg, Anne Katrine (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Nov2025, Vol. 34 Issue 11, p3665-3684. 20p. |
| Subjects: | Anorexia nervosa treatment, Family psychotherapy, Risk assessment, Behavior disorders, Repeated measures design, Body mass index, Research funding, Adult day care, Hospital care, Logistic regression analysis, Treatment effectiveness, Families, Treatment duration, Age distribution, Affective disorders, Severity of illness index, Descriptive statistics, Longitudinal method, Eating disorders, Family-centered care, Data analysis software, Weight gain, Cognition, Time, Comorbidity, Proportional hazards models |
| Geographic Terms: | Denmark |
| Abstract: | Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder often emerging during adolescence, with physical, psychological, and social consequences. Family-based treatment (FBT) is the first-line intervention for young persons (YP) with AN, empowering parents to manage their child's renourishment. Despite its benefits, less than half of YPs achieve full recovery by the end of treatment. Previous predictors, such as early weight gain, cognitive rigidity, and family dynamics, have been linked to poor outcomes, but further research is needed to refine treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate predictors of treatment outcomes in a large cohort consisting of 653 YP undergoing FBT for AN. Three key outcomes were examined: weight gain trajectories, time to successful treatment completion, and the risk of intensified treatment (inpatient or day patient care). The study was conducted as part of the VIBUS project, a prospective, naturalistic case series. Weight gain occurred primarily in the first three months of treatment. Older age and comorbid behavioural or emotional disorders predicted less weight gain. YPs with lower baseline BMI, higher eating disorder severity, family adversities, or comorbid conditions took longer to complete treatment, with BMI at four weeks emerging as a key predictor. Lower baseline BMI and reduced maternal renourishment capacity increased the risk of intensified treatment. These findings highlight early risk factors for suboptimal FBT response, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on more intensive treatments. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05956366, register date 2023–07-13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder often emerging during adolescence, with physical, psychological, and social consequences. Family-based treatment (FBT) is the first-line intervention for young persons (YP) with AN, empowering parents to manage their child's renourishment. Despite its benefits, less than half of YPs achieve full recovery by the end of treatment. Previous predictors, such as early weight gain, cognitive rigidity, and family dynamics, have been linked to poor outcomes, but further research is needed to refine treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate predictors of treatment outcomes in a large cohort consisting of 653 YP undergoing FBT for AN. Three key outcomes were examined: weight gain trajectories, time to successful treatment completion, and the risk of intensified treatment (inpatient or day patient care). The study was conducted as part of the VIBUS project, a prospective, naturalistic case series. Weight gain occurred primarily in the first three months of treatment. Older age and comorbid behavioural or emotional disorders predicted less weight gain. YPs with lower baseline BMI, higher eating disorder severity, family adversities, or comorbid conditions took longer to complete treatment, with BMI at four weeks emerging as a key predictor. Lower baseline BMI and reduced maternal renourishment capacity increased the risk of intensified treatment. These findings highlight early risk factors for suboptimal FBT response, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on more intensive treatments. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05956366, register date 2023–07-13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 10188827 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00787-025-02766-x |
