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The Demand for Eating Disorder Care

An Epidemiological Study Using the General Practice Research Database

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Sue Turnbull ,
Anne Ward ,
Janet Treasure ,
Hershel Jick  and
Laura Derby
Sue Turnbull
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Anne Ward
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Janet Treasure*
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Hershel Jick
Affiliation:
Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
Laura Derby
Affiliation:
Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
*
Dr Janet Treasure, Eating Disorders Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

Background

An epidemiological study of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in primary care was performed using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD).

Method

The GPRD was screened between 1988 and 1994 for newly diagnosed cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The validity of the computer diagnosis was established by obtaining clinical details from a random sample of the general practitioners (GPs).

Results

Incidence rates for detection of cases by GPs in 1993 was 4.2 per 100 000 population for anorexia nervosa and 12.2 per 100 000 for bulimia nervosa The relative risks of females to males was 40:1 for anorexia nervosa and 47:1 for bulimia nervosa A threefold increase in the recording of bulimia nervosa was found from 1988 to 1993. Eighty per cent of anorexia nervosa cases and 60% of bulimia nervosa cases were referred to secondary care.

Conclusion

There is a continuing expansion of service need for bulimia nervosa The majority of cases of eating disorders are referred to secondary services. There is scope for more effective management of bulimia nervosa in primary care.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 6 , December 1996 , pp. 705 - 712
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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