Demographic and clinical characteristics of rural, regional, and metropolitan inpatients during psychiatric inpatient eating disorders treatment

Eating disorders were previously considered less common in rural/regional areas. However, emerging research suggests that eating disorders may be more prevalent in these populations than initially recognized. We aimed to describe demographic/clinical characteristics of metropolitan compared to rural/regional inpatients during psychiatric inpatient eating disorder treatment at the Eating Disorders Unit (EDU), Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia. Retrospective review of patient files was undertaken for inpatients aged 18-65 years who resided within the Body Image & Eating Disorders Treatment & Recovery Service (BETRS) catchment area and were admitted to EDU between 01/01/21 and 30/10/23. Regional/rural patients were on average 2.7 years older and first diagnosed 3.5 years later compared to metropolitan inpatients. These groups showed otherwise similar characteristics in relation to psychiatric/medical history. Available and accessible speciality eating disorders services in rural and regional areas are needed for early detection, prevention, and multidisciplinary management.