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British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Jun 2020Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with peak onset in adolescence, which carries the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. It is commonly comorbid... (Review)
Review
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with peak onset in adolescence, which carries the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. It is commonly comorbid with other physical and mental health problems, yet training on management of people with eating disorders and working knowledge of clinicians working with underweight adolescents is inconsistent. This review of anorexia nervosa in adolescents provides an overview of the presentation, aetiology and treatment of this disorder, with a particular focus on the assessment and management of physical health risks, including refeeding syndrome.
Topics: Adolescent; Anorexia Nervosa; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Body Mass Index; Bradycardia; Dehydration; Early Diagnosis; Early Medical Intervention; Humans; Hypothermia; Incidence; Prognosis; Refeeding Syndrome; United Kingdom; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance
PubMed: 32589532
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2020.0099 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Dec 1995The aetiology, assessment and treatment of anorexia nervosa are reviewed in the light of the classical accounts of Morton, Lasègue and Gull. The core symptoms are... (Review)
Review
The aetiology, assessment and treatment of anorexia nervosa are reviewed in the light of the classical accounts of Morton, Lasègue and Gull. The core symptoms are deliberate weight loss, disturbed body image and amenorrhoea, and complications may include cardiac failure, electrolyte disturbances, hypothermia and osteoporosis. Common clinical findings are described. Disturbed brain serotonin activity is implicated in the aetiology of anorexia nervosa, but there is little support for the use of pharmacological treatments. Psychological theories of aetiology are discussed with reference to Bruch, Crisp, Palazzoli and Minuchin: the common theme is the reaction of the patient and her family to the physical and social changes of puberty. Individual and/or family psychotherapy is seen as central to the treatment of anorexia nervosa, and the relevant clinical research is reviewed. The roles of general practitioners, general psychiatrists and eating disorder specialists are discussed in the light of recent consensus treatment guidelines.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Family Health; Female; Humans; Psychotherapy
PubMed: 8552532
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.71.842.712 -
American Family Physician Jan 2015Eating disorders are life-threatening conditions that are challenging to address; however, the primary care setting provides an important opportunity for critical...
Eating disorders are life-threatening conditions that are challenging to address; however, the primary care setting provides an important opportunity for critical medical and psychosocial intervention. The recently published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., includes updated diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa (e.g., elimination of amenorrhea as a diagnostic criterion) and for bulimia nervosa (e.g., criterion for frequency of binge episodes decreased to an average of once per week). In addition to the role of environmental triggers and societal expectations of body size and shape, research has suggested that genes and discrete biochemical signals contribute to the development of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa occur most often in adolescent females and are often accompanied by depression and other comorbid psychiatric disorders. For low-weight patients with anorexia nervosa, virtually all physiologic systems are affected, ranging from hypotension and osteopenia to life-threatening arrhythmias, often requiring emergent assessment and hospitalization for metabolic stabilization. In patients with frequent purging or laxative abuse, the presence of electrolyte abnormalities requires prompt intervention. Family-based treatment is helpful for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, whereas short-term psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, is effective for most patients with bulimia nervosa. The use of psychotropic medications is limited for anorexia nervosa, whereas treatment studies have shown a benefit of antidepressant medications for patients with bulimia nervosa. Treatment is most effective when it includes a multidisciplinary, teambased approach.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Body Mass Index; Bulimia Nervosa; Depression; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Disease Management; Family Practice; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Psychotherapy; Social Environment; Social Support; Symptom Assessment
PubMed: 25591200
DOI: No ID Found -
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Jun 2020Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness characterized by self-starvation, marked weight loss, and malnutrition. As the illness worsens, numerous medical complications... (Review)
Review
Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness characterized by self-starvation, marked weight loss, and malnutrition. As the illness worsens, numerous medical complications develop throughout the body. Some of these resolve with effective nutritional rehabilitation and weight gain, whereas others can lead to permanent damage.
Topics: Anorexia Nervosa; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Brain Diseases, Metabolic; Cardiomyopathies; Early Medical Intervention; Humans; Lung Diseases; Prognosis
PubMed: 32487556
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084 -
Psychiatria Polska Oct 2019Refeeding syndrome (RS) is one of the serious complications during treatment of anorexia nervosa. It includes hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during the... (Review)
Review
Refeeding syndrome (RS) is one of the serious complications during treatment of anorexia nervosa. It includes hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during the process of refeeding in chronically malnourished patient when nutrition is introduced in an excessive and improper amount. RS manifests in water-electrolyte imbalances, including hypophosphatemia (the mostimportant diagnosticmarker), hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesaemia, fluid retention, vitamin deficiency and metabolic acidosis. It applies to either oral and parenteral supplementation. In the treatment of malnourished patients with anorexia nervosa, it is essential to establish an initial caloric amount that will stimulate weight gain from the beginning of treatment, increase its effectiveness while minimizing the risk of RS. Recent research suggests that the current recommendations may be too stringent in this respect and require further updating. Awareness of the risks associated with RS, including significant mortality, appears to be currently insufficient also among physicians. There is a need for far more specialized multidisciplinary centers for patients with anorexia nervosa and also appropriate algorithms and standards of care for that population. The aim of this paper is to systematize the current knowledge about RS and RS prevention, to increase awareness of its occurrence and present the results of the latest research on safe resupplementation of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa.
Topics: Anorexia Nervosa; Feeding Methods; Humans; Refeeding Syndrome; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Weight Gain
PubMed: 31955189
DOI: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/90275 -
Nutrients Aug 2019Knowledge of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood is scarce. This review gives a state-of-the-art overview on the definition, classification, epidemiology and etiology of... (Review)
Review
Knowledge of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood is scarce. This review gives a state-of-the-art overview on the definition, classification, epidemiology and etiology of this serious disorder. The typical features of childhood AN in comparison to adolescent AN and avoidant restrictive eating disorder (ARFID) are described. Other important issues discussed in this article are somatic and psychiatric comorbidity, differential diagnoses and medical and psychological assessment of young patients with AN. Special problems in the medical and psychological treatment of AN in children are listed, although very few studies have investigated age-specific treatment strategies. The physical and mental outcomes of childhood AN appear to be worse than those of adolescent AN, although the causes for these outcomes are unclear. There is an urgent need for ongoing intensive research to reduce the consequences of this debilitating disorder of childhood and to help patients recover.
Topics: Adolescent; Anorexia Nervosa; Child; Humans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31426409
DOI: 10.3390/nu11081932 -
Psychiatria Polska Apr 2017Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a relatively common disorder, especially in adolescent and young adult women. The lifetime prevalence of AN in females ranges from 1.2 to 2.2%.... (Review)
Review
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a relatively common disorder, especially in adolescent and young adult women. The lifetime prevalence of AN in females ranges from 1.2 to 2.2%. The prevalence in males is 10-times lower. The condition is associated with a high risk of chronic course and poor prognosis in terms of treatment and the risk of death. Longer follow-up periods seemed to correspond with increased improvement rates and increased mortality. Onset of the disorder during adolescence is associated with better prognosis. It is reported that as much as 70% to over 80% of patients in this age group achieve remission. Worse outcomes are observed in patients who required hospitalization and in adults. Recent studies indicate improved prognosis for cure and lower mortality rates than previously reported. However, the recovery can take several years and AN is associated with high risk of developing other psychiatric disorders during the patients' lifetime, even after recovery from AN (mainly: affective disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, substance abuse disorders). Studies indicate that bulimic symptoms often occur in the course of anorexia nervosa (especially within 2-3 years from the onset of AN). The authors present a review of literature on the course, comorbidity, mortality, and prognostic factors in AN. Better knowledge of the course of anorexia can contribute to more realistic expectations of the pace of symptomatic improvement, as well as to a creation of therapeutic programs which are better adapted to the needs of the patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Anorexia Nervosa; Anxiety Disorders; Chronic Disease; Comorbidity; Compulsive Personality Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Personality Disorders; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Social Adjustment; Young Adult
PubMed: 28581532
DOI: 10.12740/PP/64580 -
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the... Feb 2020Little is known about the long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the long-term outcome of anorexia nervosa.
AIMS
To study the 30-year outcome of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa.
METHOD
All 4291 individuals born in 1970 and attending eighth grade in 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden were screened for anorexia nervosa. A total of 24 individuals (age cohort for anorexia nervosa) were pooled with 27 individuals with anorexia nervosa (identified through community screening) who were born in 1969 and 1971-1974. The 51 individuals with anorexia nervosa and 51 school- and gender-matched controls were followed prospectively and examined at mean ages of 16, 21, 24, 32 and 44. Psychiatric disorders, health-related quality of life and general outcome were assessed.
RESULTS
At the 30-year follow-up 96% of participants agreed to participate. There was no mortality. Of the participants, 19% had an eating disorder diagnosis (6% anorexia nervosa, 2% binge-eating disorder, 11% other specified feeding or eating disorder); 38% had other psychiatric diagnoses; and 64% had full eating disorder symptom recovery, i.e. free of all eating disorder criteria for 6 consecutive months. During the elapsed 30 years, participants had an eating disorder for 10 years, on average, and 23% did not receive psychiatric treatment. Good outcome was predicted by later age at onset among individuals with adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa and premorbid perfectionism.
CONCLUSIONS
This long-term follow-up study reflects the course of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa and has shown a favourable outcome regarding mortality and full symptom recovery. However, one in five had a chronic eating disorder.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Chronic Disease; Comorbidity; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Quality of Life; Sweden; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 31113504
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2019.113 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Apr 2007
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Anorexia Nervosa; Female; Humans; Psychotherapy; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Weight Gain
PubMed: 17463461
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39171.616840.BE -
Medicina Clinica Jan 2024Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders associated with life-threatening multisystemic medical complications. This narrative review aimed to present... (Review)
Review
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders associated with life-threatening multisystemic medical complications. This narrative review aimed to present the medical complications most related to these disorders. In anorexia nervosa, many of them are linked to malnutrition and underweight, usually reversible with renutrition and weight restoration, although refeeding can also be linked to some medical complications. Purging behaviors observed in the anorexia nervosa binge-purging subtype and bulimia nervosa have been mainly related to hydrolectrolyte and acid-base disturbances, in addition to local complications. Thus, an early identification and therapeutic intervention of these disorders is considered crucial. Integral medical monitoring should be ensured to prevent potential serious complications from the early stages, with the involvement of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, and other specialists in a multidisciplinary approach according to the patient's needs.
Topics: Humans; Bulimia Nervosa; Anorexia; Anorexia Nervosa; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Malnutrition
PubMed: 37598049
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.07.028