New benchmark set to deliver optimal osteoporosis care throughout Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) has today (Thursday, January 28, 2021) launched the first pan-Asia Pacific clinical practice standards for the screening, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis, targeting a broad range of high-risk groups.

Published in Osteoporosis International today, ‘The APCO Framework’ comprises 16 minimum clinical standards set to serve as a benchmark for the provision of optimal osteoporosis care in the region.

Developed by APCO members representing key osteoporosis stakeholders, and multiple medical and surgical specialities, this set of clear, concise, relevant and pragmatic clinical standards aims to support national societies, guidelines development authorities, and health care policy makers with the development of new guidelines, and to encourage the revision of existing guidelines.

According to the Framework lead author, APCO Chairperson, and Director of the Osteoporosis and
Bone Metabolism Unit at Singapore General Hospital, Dr Manju Chandran, Singapore, APCO employed a
5IQ analysis and the well-established Delphi Consensus process to analyse the 18 clinical practice guidelines currently available in the Asia Pacific region, to inform the development of The APCO Framework.

“Utilising a comprehensive, four-round Delphi consensus method enabled our APCO members who work in vastly different health care systems, to reach a remarkable level of consensus on a benchmark set of clinical standards for the provision of quality osteoporosis care for the Asia Pacific region.”

The APCO Framework offers clinicians structured, well-articulated, and readily accessible clinical practice guidelines that define:
o Individuals to be identified for assessment;
o Investigations required;
o Relevant indications for treatment;
o Appropriate selection of interventions to be made;
o The guidance and information patients need for self-care;
o Integration of healthcare systems for optimal provision of care; and
o The need, and methods for monitoring and improving the quality of osteoporosis care.

“Implementation of The APCO Framework, or a similar set of standards of care informed by the Framework, is expected to significantly reduce the burden of osteoporosis not only in the Asia Pacific region, but also worldwide. We hope that the Framework can serve as a stimulus for harmonisation of guidelines in other regions that have similar socio-economic diversity and heterogeneity of health care resources,” Dr Chandran said.

Globally, the population aged 65 years or over increased from six per cent in 1990, to nine per cent in 2019.(1)
This proportion is projected to rise to 16 per cent by 2050,(1) meaning one in six people worldwide will be aged
65 years or over by 2050.(1) The number of people aged 60 years and over in the Asia-Pacific region – home to
more than a third of the world’s population aged 65 years and over, and to more elderly people than any other region(2) – is predicted to triple between 2010 and 2050, reaching a staggering 1.3 billion people.(3)

Osteoporotic fractures among Asia-Pacific populations are expected to increase exponentially, not only because of the region’s rapidly aging population, but also due to mounting urbanisation, and the subsequent increase in sedentary lifestyles.(4)

Despite the presence of generally safe and effective treatments for osteoporosis, as many as five in six patients presenting to their primary care physician (PCP), or to a hospital with a fragility fracture, will not be assessed for osteoporosis, nor appropriately managed to prevent further fracture.(5)

According to Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia, and APCO Executive Committee member,
Professor Peter Ebeling AO, Australia, as many as half of those who have sustained a hip fracture, have already experienced a previous fracture at other skeletal sites.

“In fact, a prior fracture at any site is associated with a doubling of future fracture and mortality risk. The unfortunate ramifications of the gross under-diagnosis and under-treatment of osteoporosis is that a large number of people sustain further debilitating secondary fractures, which places a substantial, but importantly, preventable burden on already strained healthcare systems,” said Prof Ebeling.

A fragility fracture, which occurs every three seconds worldwide,(6) compromises quality of life and loss of independence.(6),(7) Concerningly, one-in-four patients who sustain a hip fracture die within a year, and less than half of those who survive, regain their previous level of function.(8),(9) In 2010, an estimated 158 million people aged
50 years and above were at high risk for osteoporotic fracture – a figure which is set to double by 2040.(10)

According to International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) CEO and APCO Executive Committee member,

Dr Philippe Halbout, Switzerland, these alarming statistics, coupled with the anticipated, exponential rise in osteoporotic fractures among Asia-Pacific populations, warrant a standardised set of minimum clinical standards for the region.

“Anecdotal evidence to date reveals significant inconsistencies in osteoporosis clinical practice guidelines in the Asia Pacific region, which vary widely in scope and recommendations. This was confirmed when we analysed the 18 guidelines.

“Implementation of the minimum clinical standards proposed by The APCO Framework, and reform of existing guidelines, will support clinical improvement initiatives, while also paving the way for a more holistic approach to osteoporosis care, and ultimately, greater consistency across all national and regional clinical practice guidelines in the region,” Dr Halbout said.

To download or access The APCO Framework, head to www.apcobonehealth.org/apco-framework

To learn more, visit www.apcobonehealth.org or follow APCO on LinkedIn: asia-pacific-consortium-on-osteoporosis

About APCO

The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) comprises osteoporosis experts from several countries and regions in the Asia Pacific, charged with developing tangible solutions to the substantive challenges involving osteoporosis management and fracture prevention in this most populated and fastest growing part of the world. APCO’s mission is to engage with relevant stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policy makers and the public, to help develop and implement country and region-specific programs for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and its complication of fragility fractures, in the Asia Pacific.

About IOF

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF’s mission is to promote bone and musculoskeletal health as a worldwide priority.

The 5IQ analysis and Delphi consensus process

The 5IQ exercise assessed the extent of disparity when comparing the national guidelines currently available throughout the Asia Pacific region.

The Delphi technique (a structured communication technique using a systematic, interactive forecasting method reliant upon an expert panel) was employed to achieve APCO member consensus for the development of clinical standards of care.(11)

EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

Dr Manju Chandran – APCO Executive Committee Chairperson, Senior Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Director, Osteoporosis & Bone Metabolism Unit, Singapore General Hospital, SINGAPORE

Dr Philippe Halbout – Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), APCO Executive Committee member, SWITZERLAND

Prof. Peter Ebeling AO – Medical Director, Osteoporosis Australia & APCO Executive Committee member, AUSTRALIA

Dr Zhao Yanling – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Beijing United Family Hospital, & APCO Member, Beijing, CHINA

Prof. Atsushi Suzuki – Professor & Chair, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Fujita Health University & APCO Member, JAPAN

Prof. Yoon-Sok Chung – Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Director, Ajou Institute on Aging, Ajou University Medical Center & APCO Member, SOUTH KOREA

Dr Hew Fen Lee – Consultant Endocrinologist, Puchong Medical Specialist Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre & APCO member, MALAYSIA

Dato’ Dr. Lee Joon-Kiong – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Beacon Hospital & APCO Member, MALAYSIA

Dr Nigel Gilchrist – Specialist Consultant Physician, Canterbury District Health Board & APCO ExecutiveCommittee Member, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND

Mr Paul Mitchell – Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia & APCO Executive Committee Member, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA CONTACTS & INTERVIEWS

Kirsten Bruce & Mel Kheradi, VIVA! Communications, Sydney, Australia
T +61 (0)401 717 566; +61 (0)421 551 257
E: kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au; mel@vivacommunications.com.au

DOWNLOAD THE APCO FRAMEWORK DIGITAL MEDIA KIT: www.apcoframeworkmediakit.org

References:
(1) United Nations – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Population Ageing 2019 Highlights. 2019.
(2) World Bank Group, Live Long and Prosper – Aging in East Asia and Pacific. 2016.
(3) United National Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia & the Pacific. Ageing. [cited Nov, 2020]; Available from: https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/node/15208.
(4) International Osteoporosis Foundation, The Asia-Pacific Regional Audit: Epidemiology, costs & burden of osteoporosis in 2013. 2013. p. 1-128.
(5) Royal Australian College of General Practitioners & Osteoporosis Australia, Osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age. 2017.
(6) International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). Capture the fracture. [cited Jan, 2020]; Available from: https://www.capturethefracture.org/about.
(7) Madureira, M.M., R.M. Ciconelli, and R.M.R. Pereira, Quality of life measurements in patients with osteoporosis and fractures. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 2012. 67(11): p. 1315-1320.
(8) National Osteoporosis Foundation, NOF’s Clinician’s Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis.
(9) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Musculoskeletal fact sheet. Osteoporosis. [cited Jan, 2020]; Available from: https://bit.ly/3qQOqbi
(10) Oden, A., et al., Burden of high fracture probability worldwide: secular increases 2010-2040. Osteoporos Int, 2015. 26(9): p. 2243-8.
(11) Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The Delphi technique. 2005 [cited Jan, 2020]; Available from: https://bit.ly/39hWags

Zhaoke Ophthalmology Announced First Patient Completes Three Year Enrollment in Phase III CHAMP Study of NVK-002

HONG KONG, Nov 12, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Zhaoke (Hong Kong) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Ltd. ("Zhaoke Hong Kong") is pleased to announce today that the first patient has completed three year enrollment in the Phase III CHAMP (Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression) study carried out by its partner, Nevakar Inc. ("Nevakar"). The CHAMP Study is an FDA drug trial that evaluates the ability of its lead compound, NVK-002, to slow the progression of myopia in children. NVK-002 is a proprietary, investigational, preservative-free eye drop administered nightly and intended for patients ages three to seventeen.

NVK-002 is a novel and first-to-market pharmacologic treatment for slowing the progression of myopia in children. It is currently under clinical evaluation in the CHAMP study and has entered Phase 3 clinical trial in the US and Europe. The CHAMP trial follows ground-breaking studies conducted in Asia that concluded that low doses of atropine could be used to slow the progression of myopia in children. CHAMP is a 576 subject, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked study evaluating the effects of NVK-002 on myopia progression in children. The study duration is three years, after which enrolled patients are re-randomized for a fourth year of follow-up. With this milestone, the trial remains on-track for a three-year data readout in 2022.

On October 19, 2020, Zhaoke Hong Kong and Nevakar entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Nevakar's NVK-002 in Greater China (The People's Republic of China ("PRC"), Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan), South Korea and the Southeast Asian territories.*

Under the terms of the agreement, Zhaoke Hong Kong will develop and obtain regulatory approval for NVK-002 in the contractual territory as well as manufacture, launch, distribute, and support the commercialization of the product.

Zhaoke Hong Kong is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhaoke Ophthalmology Limited, which has a strong foundation in ophthalmology and is an emerging leader in the integrated eye care field in the PRC and Asia. Currently, there are over 100 million children with myopia in China.

"Despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevakar has achieved this important milestone in the development of our lead compound, NVK-002, which, if approved, would represent an innovative, first-to-market pharmacologic treatment for myopia in children," stated Navneet Puri, PhD, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nevakar.

"Nevakar's NVK-002 is the most advanced innovative atropine product in development for the treatment of myopia. In-licensing of NVK-002 not only puts Zhaoke Ophthalmology in the leading position in the fight against myopia in China, Southeast Asia and South Korea but also strengthens its already comprehensive pipeline in ophthalmology," said Dr. Benjamin Li, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zhaoke Ophthalmology Limited.

*Southeast Asian territories include: Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

About Nevakar Inc.

Nevakar Inc. is growing as a fully integrated privately held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company with an extensive portfolio of products in the ophthalmic and injectable areas. Founded in 2015, and headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, the Company is focused on developing and commercializing innovative products to address unmet medical needs, thereby improving patient care and quality of life. Nevakar utilizes the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, along with its proven expertise in the development of novel and proprietary sterile pharmaceutical products to identify, develop and obtain regulatory approval for its products. Additional information is available at www.nevakar.com.

About Zhaoke (Hong Kong) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Limited

Zhaoke (Hong Kong) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhaoke Ophthalmology Limited ("Zhaoke Ophthalmology"), which specializes in the development, manufacturing and marketing of ophthalmic drugs. It has built a state-of-the-art development and production facility in Nansha, Guangzhou through its 100% subsidiary Zhaoke (Guangzhou) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Limited. The facility supports the in-house development and future commercialization of more than twenty proprietary products and difficult to manufacture generics (ranging from pre-clinical to registration stage) for the Chinese and ASEAN markets. It is currently the only modern facility in China that is recognized as being designed and built for ophthalmic drugs according to all applicable standards, namely China National Medical Products Administration, Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), European Medicines Evaluation Agency, Japan Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Zhaoke Ophthalmology portfolio is diversified in having both small molecules and biologics, and having both novel and generic medicines, covering different ophthalmic indications from dry eye, glaucoma, wAMD, diabetic retinopathy to corneal and inflammatory diseases.

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Biotechs get scalable early to late phase clinical offering from Avance Clinical and Cromos Pharma – announced at Bio-Europe 2020

BIO-Europe, Munich, Oct 28, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Two dominant regional contract research organizations (CRO), Avance Clinical and Cromos Pharma, with operations in Australia and Central/Eastern Europe, respectively, are successfully collaborating on a scalable clinical solution for biotechs.

The collaboration allows biotechs to quickly start their pre-IND early phase studies in Australia, then expand to Central/Eastern Europe to access the large patient populations for their Phase 2 and 3 studies.

Importantly, the AU/EU model allows biotechs to keep their data and trial management in Australia, and take advantage of the Australian cash rebate of up to 43.5% on clinical trial costs, throughout all study phases, across both regions.

"We are very excited about this model that seamlessly incorporates two of the most compelling and complementary international clinical research hubs for our biotech clients from early to late phase studies," said Yvonne Lungershausen, CEO of Avance Clinical.

"Our eClinical and early phase expertise is well augmented by Cromos Pharma's track record in late stage trials and rapid enrollment capabilities," she continued.

"We have been collaborating with Avance Clinical and referring clients to each other for years," remarked Vlad Bogin, CEO of Cromos Pharma.

"But it was a true Eureka moment when we realized that combining Australia's 43.5% tax rebate with Central/Eastern Europe's unbeatable recruitment rates is a paradigm shift in how clinical trials should be conducted," he concluded.

Cromos Pharma can access hundreds of millions of patients via more than 2,500 sites in Central/Eastern Europe.

About Cromos Pharma, www.cromospharma.com

Cromos Pharma provides tailored and effective clinical trial solutions to support the development of drugs that transform healthcare. An international CRO with over 15 years' experience, we offer fully integrated services performing all aspects of clinical trials in all clinical phases and in a wide range of therapeutic areas. Cromos Pharma delivers rapid recruitment and excellent patient retention as well as expert study design and management. Cromos Pharma has strong regional experience in Central and Eastern Europe with global coverage provided by its US bases in Portland, Oregon and Miami, Florida. Cromos Pharma's European HQ is in Dublin, Ireland. At Cromos Pharma, we know how important your product is. When the stakes are this high, you need a high-performance partner.
Key benefits:
– International expertise combined with in-depth regional knowledge in Central and Eastern Europe (300+ clinical trials conducted in 70+ indications).
– Extensive PI/site and patient network (40,000+ patients enrolled from nearly 2,500 trial sites).
– Unparalleled patient recruitment – our team met or shortened project timelines in 95% of conducted trials.
– Responsible recruitment is supported by Cromos Pharma's "No Patients-No Payments" initiative – a unique risk-sharing program.
– Extremely short startup timelines (e.g. Georgia where we assure a study launch in less than 2 months).
– Expertise in innovative, generics and biosimilar global studies (NDAs, ANDAs, BLAs, 505b2).
– Regulatory inspections and audits that attest to the highest quality of data: EMA in 2019 (1-week oncology site inspection); FDA in 2017 (2-week oncology site inspection).
– Clinical Development Strategy – we provide expert guidance on study design, favorable venues, local and global landscape to improve study outcomes.

About Avance Clinical, www.avancecro.com

Australia's Avance Clinical has more than 20-years of experience and is now one of Australia's leading Contract Research Organizations for biotechs. Avance Clinical is committed to providing high-quality clinical research services with its highly-experienced team.
The collective pool of knowledge and experience at Avance Clinical continually grows through the careful selection of experts who also demonstrate passion in their chosen field.
Avance Clinical offers high-quality services in an established clinical trial ecosystem, that includes world-class Investigators and Sites able to access specialized patient groups.
Other benefits include:
1. The Government R&D grant means up to 43.5% rebate on clinical trial spend
2. eClinical solutions capabilities – speed and continuity
3. Site Initiation Visit (SIV) and Study Start achieved in 5 – 6 weeks
4. No IND required for clinical trials
5. Full GMP material is not mandated for Phase I clinical trials
6. Established clinical trial environment with world-class Investigators and sites
7. Established healthy subject databases and specialized patient populations
8. Five independent Phase 1 facilities across Australia including hospital-based units for critical care
9. Major hospitals with world-class infrastructures and dedicated Clinical Trial Units with a long track-record in FDA compliant research
10. Seasonal studies: Northern hemisphere Sponsors can conduct their studies year-round by taking advantage of Australia's counter-flu and allergy seasons

Media Contacts:
Avance Clinical
Chris Thompson: media@avancecro.com

Cromos Pharma
Nicola Donnelly: media@cromospharma.com

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

US researchers seeking 6,000+ participants for world’s largest eating disorder genetics study

Chapel Hill, NC, Oct 13, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – University of North Carolina (UNC) researchers are seeking 6,000+ participants aged 18 years and over with first-hand experience of eating disorders to enroll in the world's largest ever genetic research study of three complex and devastating mental illnesses.

The ground-breaking Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) aims to identify the hundreds of genes that influence a person's risk of developing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, to improve treatment, and ultimately save lives.

According to survey results evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on Americans living with eating disorders, performed by EDGI Principal Investigator, Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UNC, Professor Cynthia Bulik and her research team, support for those with eating disorders is more crucial than ever, given two-in-three respondents expressed concerns about their mental well-being.(1)

"Individuals with current, or past experience of an eating disorder face unique risks due to the current pandemic(1). While COVID-19 related factors, including the effects of quarantining, lack of clear information, and fear of infection, will influence the broader community's mental health(2), they are likely to further impact those battling pre-existing mental illnesses, such as eating disorders.(3,4)

"Our new data show that over two-thirds are worried about the impact of the pandemic on their mental health – even more than are worried about the impact of COVID-19 on their physical health (46%)(1)," said Prof Bulik.

EDGI is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, and follows the ground-breaking advances made through the collaborative Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI), which revealed both psychiatric and metabolic origins of anorexia nervosa, explaining why people living with the disorder struggle to gain weight, despite their efforts. The study identified eight regions in the genome significantly associated with the illness.(5)

"Our new study, EDGI, offers us a unique opportunity to further investigate the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to eating disorders, in order to improve diagnosis, management and treatment – an endeavor that is evidently even more critical during the current pandemic," Prof Bulik said.

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that for some, can lead to severe and permanent physical complications, and even death.(6,7) While various studies have explored one's genetic predisposition to developing an eating disorder, only a handful of the responsible genes have been identified to date, leaving many more to be found.

"We are inviting all Americans, aged 18 and over, with first-hand experience of an eating disorder, to participate in this important genetics study," said Prof Bulik.

Participants need to be aged 18 years and older, and currently, or at some point in their lives, experiencing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder.

Those wishing to volunteer for, or learn more about EDGI, can visit www.edgi.org, email EDGI@unc.edu or call (984) 974-3798.

According to Assistant Professor, Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine, Dr Laura Huckins, New York, findings from family and twin studies indicate eating disorders are heritable.(8)

"To further these studies, EDGI researchers will analyze participant saliva samples to point toward specific genes associated with eating disorders. DNA will be extracted from the saliva samples and genotyped to provide a read out of each participant's genetic code."

"Genetic variants will then be tested statistically for association with eating disorders, by comparing the genomes of large numbers of individuals with eating disorders, to large numbers of individuals without the illnesses,"(9,10) Dr Huckins said.

Nearly half of all individuals with eating disorders experience other mental health conditions at some point during their lives.(11) Therefore, by comparing the EDGI samples with samples from individuals with other disorders will also help the researchers to understand the genetic relationship among eating disorders and commonly co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance use problems, as well as other medical illnesses including metabolic conditions.(12,13)

According to author, founder and Executive Director, Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T), Ms Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh, Virginia, eating disorders are not a choice, but rather, are biologically-influenced medical illnesses(14) that can cause significant distress, and affect the lives of individuals, their families, carers, partners, and friends.(15)

"Eating disorders are recognized as a significant public health concern,(16) which appear to be on the rise, noting the average prevalence of eating disorders has more than doubled since 2000.(16) Concerningly, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness.(17)

"People of all genders, ages, body sizes, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds can be affected by an eating disorder. Those with an eating disorder may also appear to be healthy, yet be extremely ill,"(14) said Ms Collins Lyster-Mensh.

Yoga teacher, writer and mental health advocate Maris Degener, 22, California, who battled anxiety and an eating disorder during her youth, constantly felt compelled to chase perfection and control with no end in sight. Her parents eventually discovered she was self-harming and purging her food, and through a subsequent doctor visit, learned she had also been starving herself.

"After spending much of my young life struggling with mental illness, I hit breaking point when I was hospitalized with an eating disorder during my freshman year. I was a slave to the demands of my eating disorder, which allowed no room for flexibility, freedom, or intuition," Ms Degener said.

A year later, at 16 years of age, Ms Degener began practicing yoga to manage her life-threatening illness. She has since become a role model for women of all ages, through her wellness blog, workshops and mentoring program.

Ms Degener is also a strong advocate for EDGI.

"Learning more about the genes involved in the development of eating disorders should open the door to more effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while hopefully challenging common misconceptions of the potentially devastating mental illnesses," said Ms Degener.

Should you suspect that you, or a loved one, may be living with an eating disorder, speak to your local healthcare professional without delay. US patient support services offering helpline services include:
– National Eating Disorder Association – Call (800) 931-2237, Crisis text 741741
– National Association of Anorexia Nervosa (ANAD) – Call (630) 577-1330.

To volunteer for, or learn more about EDGI, head to www.edgi.org, email EDGI@unc.edu or call (984) 974-3798.

Issued by VIVA! Communications on behalf of University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.

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Media Contacts & Interviews:
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University of North Carolina (UNC)
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t: (919) 457-6347

Casey Adams Jones
C. Adams Agency, US
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Kirsten Bruce & Mel Kheradi
VIVA! Communications, AUS
e: kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au / mel@vivacommunications.com.au
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References
1. Termorshuizen JD, Watson HJ, Thornton LM, Borg S, Flatt RE, MacDermod CM, et al. Early impact of COVID-19 on individuals with self-reported eating disorders: A survey of ~1,000 individuals in the United States and the Netherlands. Int J Eat Disord. 2020. ul 28. doi: 10.1002/eat.23353.
2. Holingue, C., et al., Mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults without a pre-existing mental health condition: Findings from American trend panel survey. Prev Med, 2020. 139: p. 106231.
3. Kaufman, K.R., et al., A global needs assessment in times of a global crisis: world psychiatry response to the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Open, 2020. 6(3): p. e48-e48.
4. Rodgers, R.F., et al., The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder risk and symptoms. Int J Eat Disord, 2020. 53(7): p. 1166-1170.
5. Watson, H.J., et al., Genome-wide association study identifies eight risk loci and implicates metabo-psychiatric origins for anorexia nervosa. Nature Genetics, 2019. 51(8): p. 1207-1214.
6. National Institute of Mental Health. Eating Disorders: About More Than Food. 2018. [Aug, 2020]; Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/index.shtml.
7. Fichter, M.M., et al., Long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa: Results from a large clinical longitudinal study. Int J Eat Disord, 2017. 50(9): p. 1018-1030.
8. Yilmaz, Z., J.A. Hardaway, and C.M. Bulik, Genetics and epigenetics of eating disorders. Adv Genom Genet, 2015. 5: p. 131-150.
9. Bulik, C.M., L. Blake, and J. Austin, Genetics of Eating Disorders: What the Clinician Needs to Know. Psychiatr Clin North Am, 2019. 42(1): p. 59-73.
10. Dunn, E.C., et al., Genetic determinants of depression: recent findings and future directions. Harv Rev Psychiatry, 2015. 23(1): p. 1-18.
11. Samnaliev, M., et al., The economic burden of eating disorders and related mental health comorbidities: An exploratory analysis using the U.S. Medical Expenditures Panel Survey. Prev Med Report, 2015. 2: p. 32-34.
12. Hudson, J.I., et al., The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biol Psychiatry, 2007. 61(3): p. 348-358.
13. Jordan, J., et al., Specific and nonspecific comorbidity in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord, 2008. 41(1): p. 47-56.
14. Schaumberg, K., et al., The Science Behind the Academy for Eating Disorders' Nine Truths About Eating Disorders. Eur Eat Disord Rev, 2017. 25(6): p. 432-450.
15. Deloitte, Social and economic cost of eating disorders in the United States of America. 2020.
16. Galmiche, M., et al., Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000-2018 period: a systematic literature review. Am J Clin Nutr, 2019. 109(5): p. 1402-1413.
17. Smink, F.R.E., D. van Hoeken, and H.W. Hoek, Epidemiology of eating disorders: incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Curr Psychiatry Reports, 2012. 14(4): p. 406-414.

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com