Il trattamento dei disturbi del comportamento alimentare nel day hospital psichiatrico. Dati preliminari

Aim. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of a biopsychosocial model of Psychiatric Day Hospital (DHP) for the treatment of eating disorders (ED) after 6 years of treatment. Methods. Sixty-two patients with an ED diagnosis underwent the Day Hospital treatment at the ED program of the University of Turin. Clinical and psychopathological variables have been measured at admission and discharge to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment. All patients have been assessed with the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Results. Improvement in body weight and eating simptomatology has been observed. There was a significative improvement in EDI-2 subscales of Drive for thinness, Bulimia, Body dissatisfaction, Inadequacy, Perfectionism, Fear of maturity, Impulse regulation, Social insecurity. Conclusion. The 6 month intensive treatment of Psychiatric Day Hospital was found to be effective in improving both clinical and psychopathological subscales. These preliminary data encourage further studies and assessments to implemen and refine of this intervention and to assess follow up and maintenance of results after discharge.