The Mandometer Clinics have been successfully treating patients since 1993 in Sweden, the USA and Australia.
75% of patients go into remission (they are symptom free), and
90% of patients who achieve remission are still healthy 5 years after treatment.
90% of patients who achieve remission are still healthy 5 years after treatment.
Approximately 10% relapse; usually to an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) diagnosis, where they meet some of the criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but not all. Those who undergo treatment a second time are considerably easier to treat (Bergh et al. PNAS 2002; 99:9486 >, Bergh m fl Behav Neurosci 2013;127:878 >).
Remission criteria
- Normal eating behaviour and perception of satiety (able to eat 300-350g meal in 12-15 minutes)
- Healthy weight (BMI 19-24 for women, and BMI 20-25 for men)
- Normal blood values
- Normal psychiatric status
- Returned to school or work and leisure activities
- Food and weight are no longer considered a problem
- No binge-eating or vomiting in the last three months
A patient is considered in partial remission when five of the above criteria are met. Treatment continues until full remission is achieved.
Eating disorder treatment in Southern Älvsborg – healthcare providers and treatment results
Anders Thorstensson was commissioned by the Department of Health and Medical Care in Mittenälvsborg—part of the Västra Götaland Region(VGR)—to examine treatment options for eating disorders in Southern Älvsborg. Four health care providers, including the Mandometer Clinic in Alingsås, provided information for a report that reviewed; the prevalence of eating disorders and related problems in the region, how patients are treated, and how to measure the treatment effectiveness in relation to costs. Very briefly, the report indicated that patient outcomes are rarely measured or reported in conventional treatment, and that patients are rarely followed up after treatment. As pointed out in the VGR report, the Mandometer Clinics have been developing methods and procedures for 20 years that enable continuous improvements and patient outcomes. The report estimated that the cost of a patient treated to remission at the Mandometer Clinic is approximately the eighth of the cost of conventional treatment.
Collaboration
The Mandometer clinics network with representatives from traditional eating disorder programs, adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, schools, and social services. Proximity to the Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge is a great asset, and over the years the Mandometer Clinic has built up an extensive network of healthcare contacts. The Mandometer Clinics report data to a quality register.
The Mandometer clinics have strict remission criteria which have been developed to prevent relapse and the result is that 90% of all patients who achieve remission remain healthy for the rest of their lives.
Only ¼ of all patients do not qualify for full remission though the majority of them fulfill at least 5 of the 7 criteria.
Anna Anvret, Scientific – Clinical Coordinator at Mando.
