P0170 - The starving brain: Founding a novel Pediatric Eating Disorders Program in the State of Qatar

Background:
The goal of the program was to establish a comprehensive dedicated Paediatric service for adolescents with an eating disorder which was multidisciplinary in approach, targeted at the specific needs of this client group and in line with international best practice. It was also a response to the increasing population of children and in particular those within the 15-17 age bracket where the population in Qatar is set to grow by 22% between 2014 and 2030 (HMC Strategic Planning Dept.) Eating disorders are complex illnesses that affect adolescents with increasing frequency and have the highest rate of mortality within mental illness They rank as the third most common chronic illness in adolescent females, with an incidence of up to 5%. Physically, no organ system is spared the effects of eating disorders (Canadian Paediatric Society Clinical Practice Guideline).


Objectives:
1. To establish an eating disorder program within the State of Qatar for the first time to diagnose and treat patients. Eating disorders was previously under diagnosed and therefore patients were not being treated.
2. Increase awareness among physicians and nurses about the existence of eating disorders within our population by establishing a teaching program (Family physicians, Pediatric residents, fellows, medical students and nursing staff)
3. To provide accessible and affordable care

Methods:
The service consists of an Outpatient and Inpatient department. The multidisciplinary team consists of attending Pediatricians, psychologist, social worker, nurse, dietician. Once referred, patients are screened via phone triage and brought to the clinic within the week.
Patients are seen weekly initially until they are medically stable, unless they need an admission. Patients are seen by all professions on the same day rotating through clinics.

Results:
The Adolescent Medicine eating disorder service has only been available for 3 years. Below are the results of the service thus far:
80% of patients were diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. 20% of patients were diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa.
95% of patients treated are female. Age range between 12-18 years old
0% mortality rate
30% of patients are on SSRI’s.
50% of patients were admitted on initial assessment due to bradycardia (heart rate < 45bpm) and being less than 75% of their ideal body weight. Only 7% of the total patients admitted were readmitted due to relapse.
Results from a survey conducted in 2019:
• 100% of patients believed they were treated professionally
• 95% of patients believed their interaction with the team positively influenced their experience
• 95% of patients believed the treatment program was suitable

Conclusion:
This is the first eating disorder service in the State of Qatar with successful outcomes and positive patient feedback. Due to the increasing demands, the service aims to expand awareness and intervention across multiple sites.