TRANPAS - TReating Anorexia Nervosa Plus Autism Spectrum

Göteborg University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Anorexia Nervosa

Treatments: Other: Anorexia nervosa plus autism

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06368687

2023-06112-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

In a pilot study, the investigators will validate a so-called autism care location in an inpatient ward. The care location will be adapted for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and concurrent autism (AN+autism). In order to investigate the effect of a tailored care location for patients with AN + autism, the evaluation will include weight development and changes in nutritional intake, eating disorder and anxiety symptoms. The overall aim is to improve treatment for this specific AN subgroup, that otherwise has a worse prognosis regarding AN recovery.

Full description

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder and has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. Adolescence is the most common age of onset. Nine out of ten people who fall ill are girls/women, and 2% of all girls/women will fall ill with AN at some point in their lives. In AN, one engages in self-starvation, which in turn leads to underweight. 75 - 80% of individuals with AN recover during adolescence, while the remainder are at high risk of developing chronic AN. For the individual, the chronic condition means great suffering in the form of serious psychiatric and somatic co-morbidity, social isolation and reduced/lack of work ability. People with autism show social withdrawal and reduced flexibility, reminiscent of the symptoms seen in AN. An estimated 15 - 20% of all individuals with AN also have autism. People with AN and concurrent autism run an increased risk of a worse prognosis, as they have more difficulty absorbing treatment, which in itself increases the risk of the condition becoming chronic. Today, there is no scientific evidence for how people with AN and concurrent autism should be treated.

In a pilot study, the investigators will validate a so-called autism care location in our inpatient ward, at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. The care location will be adapted for patients with AN and concurrent autism (AN+autism). In order to investigate the effect of a tailored care location for patients with AN + autism, the evaluation will include weight development and changes in nutritional intake, eating disorder and anxiety symptoms. The overall aim is to improve treatment for this specific AN subgroup, that otherwise has a worse prognosis regarding AN recovery.

Enrollment: 10 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 25 years or older
• Meeting criteria for both anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder according to the DSM-5
• In need of inpatient care due to anorexia nervosa

Exclusion criteria

• 24 years or younger
• Not in need of inpatient care due to anorexia nervosa
• Not meeting criteria for both anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder according to the DSM-5

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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10 participants in 1 patient group

Anorexia nervosa plus autism

Other group

Description:

The treatment model takes into account the patient's perception disorders. This means e.g. an adapted mealtime situation where the patient can eat separately or wear hearing protection if necessary. The patients have an adapted meal plan regarding difficulties with specific textures or foods. To meet their need for continuity, they have the same contact persons throughout the entire period of care. The healthcare staff receive training in working with the specific subgroup and have regular exchanges of experience regarding the patient group, 15 minutes every or every two weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Anorexia nervosa plus autism