A single-center experience with service organization for patients with ARFID

Background: To date, very little research has explored the impact that the newly articulated diagnosis Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has had on feeding and eating disorder program service organization and delivery. The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive overview of a single-center, ARFID-specific pilot clinic that sought to better understand the specific needs of patients with ARFID and gain insight into treatment requirements. Methods A retrospective cohort study was completed on patients with ARFID admitted to a specialized pilot clinic within a tertiary care hospital. Results Over an 18 month period, a total of 31 patients were assessed, with 26 patients completing follow-up assessments. Patients presented with heterogeneous manifestations of ARFID, with treatment plans tailored to meet individual needs at assessment and over the treatment period. A multidisciplinary approach was most often administered, including a combination of administered individual therapy, family therapy, medical monitoring, and prescribed medications. Only 30% of patients were treated exclusively by therapists on the eating disorder team. Conclusions The experiences gained from this pilot study highlight the need for specialized resources for assessment and treatment of patients with ARFID, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and the necessity of utilization of ARFID-specific measures for program evaluation purposes.