Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions-such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa-often emerging in young adulthood and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite their severity, access to specialized care remains difficult, delayed by shame, stigma, and a lack of insight among patients, as well as long waiting times and limited specialized resources.
The AGIS-TCA pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a systematic minimal early intervention designed to reduce the number of patients lost to follow-up between their request for specialized care and the actual start of treatment.
This monocentric, low-risk interventional study will be conducted at the Clinique des Maladies Mentales et de l'Encéphale (CMME), GHU Paris Psychiatrie \& Neurosciences. The intervention includes three early, structured telephone calls and five online support group sessions offered during the waiting period for care.
The main objective is to determine whether this proactive approach decreases attrition rates ("lost to follow-up") compared with a historical cohort. Secondary objectives include assessing the acceptability of early phone contact, adherence to support groups, and describing the clinical and sociodemographic profiles of patients requesting care or lost to follow-up.
The expected benefit is to facilitate timely access to care for vulnerable patients, prevent symptom worsening, and strengthen engagement in treatment pathways. Risks and constraints are minimal, as participation involves only remote interactions without any invasive procedures.
Individual who has submitted a request for care to the CMME for an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia)
Adult (18 years or older) Resident of the Île-de-France region
Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m²: these patients will be directed, from the first telephone contact, to structures or care networks that can offer appropriate treatment.
Parallel
Program (Systematic Minimal Early Intervention for Eating Disorders)
Other interventionThe AGIS-TCA intervention consists of a structured early proactive support program designed to maintain patient engagement during the waiting period before specialized treatment for eating disorders
Rate of Patients Lost to Follow-Up
The primary outcome is the difference in the rate of patients lost to follow-up between the intervention group (AGIS-TCA program) and a historical control cohort. A patient is considered lost to follow-up if they have submitted a valid request for specialized care (excluding cases of reorientation) but have not attended the evaluation days at the Eating Disorders Expert Center (CMME) or completed their intake process within 10 months of their initial request.
Adherence to Online Support Groups
Adherence will be measured by comparing the number of participants offered the support group sessions with the number of participants who attend at least one 60-minute online session. This indicator reflects engagement and feasibility of the AGIS-TCA program's group component.
Acceptability of Early Telephone Contact
Acceptability will be measured by the proportion of eligible patients successfully reached during the first telephone contact (AT1) compared with the total number of patients invited. It evaluates the practicality and acceptance of proactive outreach by patients awaiting care.
Clinical and Sociodemographic Profile of Patients Requesting Specialized Care
Characterization of all patients requesting specialized care for eating disorders, based on collected data: age, sex, socioeconomic background, presumed diagnosis, and illness duration. This will provide a descriptive overview of the population accessing the service.
Clinical and Sociodemographic Profile of Patients Lost to Follow-Up
Characterization of patients identified as lost to follow-up, using the same variables (age, sex, socioeconomic background, presumed diagnosis, illness duration) to identify potential predictors of disengagement from care.
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