Associations between healthcare use and disordered eating among female veterans.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) have considerable medical and psychiatric comorbidity as well as increased healthcare use and associated costs. However, EDs remain largely undetected and understudied among veteran populations, and EDs are not routinely screened for or treated in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical settings. Research elucidating the links between disordered eating and VA and non-VA healthcare use is needed to inform policy and practice for ED screening and treatment. METHOD: Data regarding probable EDs and VA and non-VA healthcare use was obtained through a mail survey of 198 female veterans receiving care from VA. RESULTS: A total of 21 participants (10.6%) met probable criteria for subthreshold anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. Negative binomial regression models revealed that female veterans with EDs reported higher frequency of VA mental healthcare use and substance use disorder treatment, above and beyond the association of comorbid PTSD and depression symptoms. DISCUSSION: These findings confirm the high probability that female veterans with EDs are utilizing significant VA mental health resources. Screening for EDs may be particularly important in VA medical and mental health settings.