Examining Comorbid Psychopathology Symptoms as Predictors of Family Based Treatment for Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa in a Real‐World Setting

BACKGROUND: For adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) or Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN), Family Based Treatment (FBT) is an effective treatment. However, outcomes remain suboptimal, making investigations into predictors of outcome important. Most prior research into FBT has focussed on parental and family factors as predictors. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to identify predictors of FBT for adolescents with AN and AAN in a real-world setting, specifically focussed on comorbid patient psychopathology as a predictor of outcome. METHOD: A prospective cohort of 135 young people engaging in manualised FBT (female = 92.6%, age = 14.33 years, SD = 1.54, range 11-17) at a public outpatient child and youth eating disorder (ED) service were evaluated. Measures of ED and comorbid psychopathology and BMI outcomes were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Results showed that age was a predictor of drop-out and weight gain, with older age associated with higher chance of drop-out and less weight gain. No comorbid psychopathology measure predicted drop-out or treatment outcomes. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the potential role of age in treatment non-completion and weight regain in FBT, suggesting the potential need for developmental considerations to FBT among this group.