A major study published in The Lancet has found that three-quarters of patients diagnosed with eating disorders are dismissed by general practitioners (GPs), leading to critical delays in accessing specialized care. The research, conducted by scientists from Canada and the UK, suggests that medical professionals may be failing to recognize eating disorders beyond anorexia.
The study analyzed health records of 35,000 patients in England and Northern Ireland over a decade. It revealed that 76 percent of patients did not receive a referral to eating disorder services after an initial GP appointment. This lack of timely referral is particularly pronounced for individuals who maintain a healthy weight; they are four times more likely to be dismissed by a doctor compared to those who are underweight, despite studies indicating that only six percent of individuals with eating disorders have a low Body Mass Index (BMI).
Researchers also identified disparities in referrals based on demographics. Men, patients over 30, and individuals residing in the North East of England were found to be more likely to miss out on necessary referrals. Current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) mandate that patients should be immediately referred to appropriate services if an eating disorder is suspected.
The findings highlight a potential gap in the identification and management of eating disorders other than anorexia, which include binge eating disorder, bulimia, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). These conditions are considerably more common than anorexia. The study authors emphasized the need for improved GP education and enhanced screening tools for all types of eating disorders, stressing that the severity of these conditions is not solely determined by a patient's weight.
Patients experiencing eating disorders can face lengthy waiting times for specialist treatment. An audit by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership indicated an average wait of 42 days in England, with some patients waiting nearly two years. Experts note that treatment access within three years of the illness's onset offers the best chance for full recovery. While anorexia affects approximately half of sufferers who may never fully recover, a third of those with bulimia and binge eating disorders face similar long-term challenges, according to NICE.
Recent NHS data indicates a concerning rise in eating disorders among young people, with prevalence in 11 to 16-year-olds increasing five-fold between 2017 and 2023. Experts attribute this surge to various factors, including increased social media use, academic pressures, and the lingering effects of pandemic-related lockdowns. Some professionals have suggested that allowing direct self-referral to eating disorder services, bypassing the GP, could help reduce treatment delays.