Table 2.

Characteristics of the pathways to care.

		Median (Min;Max)
Months between the onset of current ED episode and access to ED unit		24 (0;36)
Length of the pathway (months)		24 (0;35)
Number of health professionals		2 (1;10)
	Number	Percent (%)
First health professional of the pathway
Psychiatrist	107	26.2
General practitioner	101	24.7
Psychologist	70	17.1
Nutritionist	36	8.8
Hospital doctor	29	7.1
Endocrinologist	3	0.7
Pediatrician	23	5.6
Gynecologist	2	0.5
Occupational doctor	1	0.2
Other (non-specified)	6	1.5
None (direct access to ED unit)	31	7.6
Health professional who was seen before the access to ED unit
Psychiatrist	140	34.2
General practitioner	89	21.8
Psychologist	70	17.1
Nutritionist	34	8.3
Hospital doctor	35	8.6
Nobody	21	5.1
Pediatrician	9	2.2
Other (non-specified)	8	2
Endocrinologist	2	0.5
Refused	1	0.2
Most common symptoms that promoted the referral to the first health professional of the pathway
Eating-related symptom	256	68.4
Depressive symptom	104	27.9
Anxiety	85	22.7
Somatic symptom	53	14.2
Organic symptom	27	7.2
Interpersonal problems	27	7.2
Behavioral disorders	20	5.4
Sleep disturbance	18	4.8
Suicide attempt	8	2.1
Most common symptoms that promoted the arrival at the specialist ED unit
Eating-related symptom	356	87.7
Depressive symptom	178	43.8
Anxiety	167	41.1
Somatic symptom	127	31.3
Sleep disturbance	77	19
Interpersonal problems	65	16
Organic symptoms	53	13.1
Behavioral disturbance	53	13.1
Suicide attempt	20	4.9
Psychotic symptoms	6	0.1
Suggestion to seek care that promoted the access to the specialist pathway
Family	192	53.2
Patient	141	39.1
General practitioner	10	2.8
Friends	8	2.2
Partner	5	1.4
Psychologist	3	0.8
Workmate	1	0.3
Previous carer	1	0.3
Suggestion to seek care that promoted the arrival at the specialist ED unit
Family	164	40.3
Patient	171	42
Previous carer	129	31.7
Friends	19	4.7
Partner	14	3.4
Workmates	4	1
Nutritionist	1	0.2
Psychologist	1	0.2
General practitioner	1	0.2
Psychiatrist	1	0,2