Don not forget the medical in eating disorder patients

'Don’t forget the “medical” in eating disorder patients'. International Journal of Eating Disorders.

ABSTRACT: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, which is associated with many different medical complications as a result of the weight loss and malnutrition that characterise this illness. It has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. A large portion of deaths are attributable to the cardiac abnormalities that ensue as a result of the malnutrition associated with anorexia nervosa. In this review, the cardiac complications of anorexia nervosa will be discussed.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review on cardiac changes in anorexia nervosa was carried out.

Results

There are structural, functional, and rhythm-type changes that occur in patients with anorexia nervosa. These become progressively significant as ongoing weight loss occurs.

Conclusion

Cardiac changes are inherent to anorexia nervosa and they become more life-threatening and serious as the anorexia nervosa becomes increasingly severe. Weight restoration and attention to these cardiac changes are crucial for a successful treatment outcome.

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1. Mehler Philip S. 'Don’t forget the “medical” in eating disorder patients'. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 49:1-2, 2016.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cardiology-in-the-young/article/cardiac-changes-in-anorexia-nervosa/7BE512B4F0203019EF6EFC304F82C55B