Exploring Differences In The Role Of Hospitalization On Weight Gain Based On Treatment Type From Randomized Clinical Trials For Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Background: This study explores the impact of weight gain during medical stabilization hospitalization on weight outcomes between three outpatient treatments for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN): Adolescent Focused Therapy (AFT), Systemic Family Therapy (SyFT), and Family Based Treatment (FBT).Methods: A secondary analysis of weight gain data (N = 215) of adolescents (12-18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for AN (exclusive of amenorrhea criteria) who participated in two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted. Main outcomes examined were changes in weight restoration (>= 95% expected body weight or EBW) and differences in weight change attributable to hospital weight gain.Results: Weight gain resulting from hospitalizations did not substantially change weight recovery rates. Hospital weight gain contributed most to overall treatment weight gain in AFT compared to FBT and SyFT.Conclusion: Brief medical stabilization weight gain does not contribute substantially to weight recovery in adolescents with AN who participated in RCTs.