Autism & ADHD in BN & BED
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Experiences and Treatment Needs of Autistic and ADHD Adult Eating Disorder Service Patients with Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder From the Perspective of Patients, Carers, and Clinicians
IRAS ID
343513
Contact name
Kate Tchanturia
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Many adults with eating disorders are autistic or have ADHD. Research shows that tailoring treatment for autism can improve outcomes for those with anorexia nervosa, but there's limited understanding of the needs of autistic or ADHD individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED). Given that BN and BED represent nearly half of eating disorder cases and lead to serious physical and psychological consequences, addressing these treatment gaps is crucial.
Thus, this study aims to explore the experiences and treatment needs of autistic and ADHD adult patients with BN or BED compared to patients without autism or ADHD. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted on patients of SLaM Eating Disorder Service with BN or BED; their clinicians; and their carers. If needed, additional participants may be recruited through an online screening survey. Patients will be split into three groups, based on presence of autism, ADHD, or neither.
Interviews will be conducted remotely, unless in-person is opted for by the participant. In-person interviews will occur in a booked meeting room in 103 Denmark Hill. Each interview should take between 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Participants will be interviewed 1-2 times, depending on their preference, and patients will complete a short questionnaire. Participants will be asked about the factors they perceive to underlie the development and maintenance of eating disorders and experiences of treatment in patients with versus without autism or ADHD. They will also be asked how they think eating disorder treatment could be improved for these groups in the future, and what research areas they would like future studies to prioritise.
This project is funded by the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0573
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion