Eating behaviour and symptom trajectories in patients with a history of binge eating disorder during COVID‐19 pandemic. (6th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giel, Katrin E.; Schurr, Marisa; Zipfel, Stephan; Junne, Florian; Schag, Kathrin
• Is Part Of: European eating disorders review. Volume 29:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 657
• Page End: 662
• Publication Date: 2021-05-06
• Subjects: binge eating -- COVID‐19 -- eating disorder -- pandemic -- psychopathology; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.2837
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-4133

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: A history of an eating disorder (ED) might constitute a risk for symptom deterioration and relapse during COVID‐19 pandemic. This longitudinal study investigates ED symptom trajectories until the first COVID‐19 lockdown in Spring 2020 in patients with a history of binge eating disorder (BED). Method: Participants of the randomised‐controlled BED treatment trial IMPULS participated in a re‐assessment directly after the first COVID‐19 lockdown in Germany. We used expert‐rated clinical interviews and self‐report to investigate binge eating (BE) frequency, ED and general psychopathology, distress, emotion regulation and sense of coherence. Symptom trajectories were analysed for baseline when entering the trial, end of trial participation and the time point directly after lockdown. BE frequency was assessed on a recall basis for 4 weeks directly before lockdown and 4 weeks during lockdown. Results: BE frequency, general ED pathology and depressive symptoms markedly increased after as compared to before the COVID‐19 outbreak. Individuals scoring high on reappraisal as emotion regulation strategy and sense of coherence scored lower on general ED pathology. Conclusion: Individuals with a history of an ED are at risk for symptom deterioration and relapse during the pandemic. Intervention and service dissemination strategies are needed to support vulnerable groups throughout the pandemic. Highlights: A well‐described sample of previously treatment‐seeking patients with binge eating disorder was reassessed directly after the first COVID‐19 lockdown in spring 2020. Binge eating frequency was markedly increased after as compared to before the COVID‐19 outbreak. General eating disorder pathology and depressive symptoms were markedly increased after the COVID‐19 outbreak as compared to trial termination. Individuals with a history of an eating disorder are at risk for symptom deterioration and relapse during the pandemic.