"Mortality in anorexia nervosa increases very substantially at very low BMI due to both physical complications or suicide. Discharge at this stage carries a high risk of rapid relapse, progression to a chronic course or further physical and psychological deterioration."
"A BMI of 15 represents severe malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization. Discharge at this level may occur, but it means that the person remains seriously unwell and requires ongoing monitoring by the GP."
"NHS eating disorder services view a BMI of 18.5 or 19 as the usual minimum level to show that a patient's weight is healthy enough to be safely discharged."
NHS mental health trusts in England are prematurely discharging patients with eating disorders at critically low body mass index levels, far below established clinical standards. Nine trusts discharged 119 patients with conditions including anorexia nervosa and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder between January and November with BMIs below 15, which the World Health Organization classifies as severe malnutrition. Standard NHS practice targets a BMI of 18-19 before discharge. Medical experts warn that discharge at such low BMI levels carries substantial risks, including increased mortality from physical complications and suicide, high relapse rates, chronic progression, and further deterioration. The early discharges are likely linked to NHS services struggling with increased demand for eating disorder treatment.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]