A Follow-up Study on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents with Eating Disorders

Aim: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a study to evaluate its early effects on eating disorder behavior and its predictive factors in patients with eating disorders. However, little is known about its long-term effects. The purpose of this second study was to reevaluate the same group. Methods: The sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, and information on how the pandemic restrictions affected ED behaviours, well-being, and quality of life were evaluated. All participants completed the ED examination questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, The State Anxiety Inventory for Children, and The Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory one-year after the initial assessments. Results: Thirty-seven (97.3%) of the 38 adolescents who participated in the first study were included. There was no difference in eating disorder examination questionnaire scores between the first and second study. ED-related quality of life slightly improved in the later stage. While there was no difference between the studies in terms of depression and obsession scores, whereas anxiety scores increased significantly. In addition, while depression had the highest predictive factor of ED in both studies, there was a significant increase in anxiety as COVID-19 progressed, making it the second most important predictor. Conclusions: Similar to the early study, an exacerbation in ED symptoms during the later stages of the pandemic was not observed. Clinical monitoring before and during the pandemic might have acted protective against the deteriorating effects. In the presence of prolonged social isolation, it is important to monitor adolescents with ED closely for depression and anxiety throughout the disease course.