[Eating disorders--how should treatment be organized?].

BACKGROUND

Well controlled normal population studies show no sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of eating disorders. However, more individuals seem to seek treatment, and there is a need for more precise estimates of the expected patient load at various levels of care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The total number of potential patients was estimated on the basis of data on the number of women aged 15-44 years, the number of hospitals and outpatient clinics per county in Norway, working hours per year for general practitioners, and the prevalence of eating disorders.

RESULTS

In total, about 50,000 Norwegian women may suffer from eating disorders; about 600 may need highly specialized services. At the most, each outpatient clinic may expect about 80 annual referrals for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and each hospital may expect 10-20 patients with bulimia nervosa. On average, each outpatient clinic and hospital may expect 8-9 referrals of patients with anorexia nervosa.

INTERPRETATION

There is a need for increased treatment capacity, better clinical skills and better organization of treatment services for patients with eating disorders.