Eating disorder debut cases during COVID-19 lockdown in adults. Exploring differences in treatment outcome contrasting with pre-pandemic onset cases.

Objective: Despite an increase in eating disorder (ED) cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are limited longitudinal studies exploring treatment outcomes. The aims of the present study were: (1) to compare the clinical features of patients with EDs whose onset was during the COVID-19 lockdown (pandemic cohort) against patients with EDs whose onset was prior to the pandemic (pre-pandemic cohort) and, (2) to compare therapy responses between the cohorts.

Method: The sample consisted of 115 adult women with an ED. N = 37 new ED cases (pandemic cohort) were diagnosed and included in the study during the pandemic (May 2020-May 2021); these patients did not have any previous history of an ED. We also included N = 78 ED cases (pre-pandemic cohort) diagnosed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic breakout (prior to March 2020). All ED subtypes were considered in both groups and several clinical variables were assessed.

Results: At baseline, pandemic cohort reported lower levels of impulsivity and higher emotional regulation capacities than the pre-pandemic cohort; however, no differences were found in aspects of general psychopathology and ED related severity. Following treatment, the pandemic cohort showed higher rates of good outcome and lower rates of dropouts than the pre-pandemic cohort.

Conclusions: Although both cohorts showed similar ED-related symptoms and general psychopathology scores, treatment outcomes were more favourable in the pandemic cohort.