title: Case management at an outpatient unit for severe and enduring eating disorder patients at Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders- a study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with severe and enduring eating disorders (SEED) are seriously ill and have a low quality of life. Case management (CM), originally developed for adult patients with severe mental disabilities, has been shown to enhance social functioning and improve quality of life, while reducing the number and length of hospitalizations. In 2014, a special unit based on CM, for patients with SEED (the Eira unit) was started at Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders, Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study aims to investigate if CM can improve SEED patients' quality of life, and reduce their eating disorder symptoms as well as their health care consumption. Methods for data collection are a semi-structured diagnostic interview, self-report questionnaires, and a qualitative interview. The diagnostic interview and the self-report assessments will be done at start of treatment and at follow-ups after 1, 2, and 3years. The qualitative interview will be conducted 1 year after start of treatment. The study is approved by the ethical review board in Stockholm in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CM is a possible new contribution to the treatment methods for SEED. It does not aim at remission, but rather to accept life as it is, and to enhance quality of life in the presence of the ED. This study will investigate the potential benefits of this novel intervention in a special unit for SEED patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov Id: NCT02897622.
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders, Research & Development, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 25, S-118 50 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: M
authors: 0000-0001-6453-398X
authors: M
authors: Molin
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders, Research & Development, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 25, S-118 50 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: von Hausswolff-Juhlin
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders, Research & Development, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 25, S-118 50 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Norring
authors: School of Health Sciences, University Health Care Research Centre, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Hagberg
authors: School of Medical Sciences, University Health Care Research Centre, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Gustafsson
keywords: AN; Case management; Eating disorders; Quality of life; SEED