From Across the Desk

Transition is often hard, particularly moving from adolescence to adulthood. This can be especially difficult for older teens with AN who are receiving inpatient care and must move to adult care facilities. Moving to a new facility is a problem encountered throughout health care, and eating disorders treatment is no exception. In this issue, “Transitioning to Adult Services,” highlights guidelines from British and Norwegian authors to make the move easier for patients, healthcare professionals, and parents alike. One area for improvement is recognizing the changing role of parents in the transition.

In another study, even with all the tools and tests available, researchers discovered there was no rapid screening method for uncovering EDs in pregnant patients. See “A New Screening Tool Identifies EDs in Pregnant Patients.” The study shows how a rapid test using only 12 questions can be easily added to the patient’s workup.

One common question is the long-term impact AN can have on the heart, such as loss of heart muscle thickness, changes in how the heart contracts, and altered electrical conduction. A Question and Answer item in this issue addresses just this. Look for “Long-Term Effects of Anorexia Nervosa on the Heart.”

Finally, some clinicians treating patients with restrictive eating disorders may encounter unsuspected problems with patients who identify themselves as “vegans. “See Vegan Patients and Restrictive Eating.” This article offers helpful hints on how these individuals can become more involved in their own treatment.

— MKS