ABSTRACT: Anorexia nervosa carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Even the most critically ill anorexic patients may present with normal 'standard' laboratory values, underscoring the need for a new sensitive biomarker. The complement cascade, a major component of innate immunity, represents a driving force in the pathophysiology of multiple inflammatory disorders. The role of complement in anorexia nervosa remains poorly understood.

ABSTRACT: Osteoporosis is common in anorexia nervosa. It places these patients at increased lifetime risk for fractures. Bone loss may never recover completely even once weight is restored. The strongest predictors of osteoporosis include low body weight and amenorrhea. Loss of bone density can occur rapidly and very early in the course of anorexia nervosa. The etiology of bone loss in the patient with anorexia nervosa is multifactorial.

ABSTRACT: Hyponatremia is infrequently reported in the constellation of metabolic abnormalities in patients with eating disorders. We sought to identify the etiology and describe the management of a patient with anorexia nervosa and hyponatremia. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa who suffered with severe hyponatremia.

ABSTRACT: To present a cogent and practical review of the medical complications and their treatment in patients with bulimia nervosa. Thorough review of the medical literature from 1990 to current in regards to the medical complications of bulimia nervosa and the therapeutic intervention that are effective to treat them. Extensive and detailed review of the medical complications of bulimia nervosa.

 

ABSTRACT: We report data from the medical stabilization and refeeding of patients with severe anorexia nervosa admitted over a 15‐month period. Through chart review and computerized data collection, we evaluated demographic and clinical data from 25 consecutive patients admitted to our medical stabilization unit from October 2008 to January 2010.

ABSTRACT: Successful treatment of persons with anorexia nervosa is possible when a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mental health professional, a dietician, and a medical professional with expertise in eating disorders direct treatment. One of the primary goals of treatment is the restoration of weight. Refeeding by oral, enteral, or parenteral routes is a cornerstone of treatment but must be under-taken with care in order to avoid the widespread dysfunction associated with the refeeding syndrome.

1. Mehler PS, Crowe S. Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa in Mitchell J. Gillo M. Eating Disorders Hand Book. 59-71, 2010.

ABSTRACT: Two females with severe anorexia nervosa (BMI of 10) were seen with marked abnormalities in their liver function tests before the initiation of refeeding. These paradoxically resolved with progressive refeeding and weight restoration. Clinical observation during regimented medical stabilization and refeeding of two patients with severe anorexia nervosa with frequent monitoring of liver function tests. Normalization of liver function tests ensued as caloric intake increased and weight gain progressed.

ABSTRACT: Anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are frequent complications of anorexia nervosa. The complete blood count provides useful information to diagnose and characterize these findings. Anemia tends to be normocytic and normochromic. Leukopenia manifests as a deficiency of lymphocytes or neutrophils. Thrombocytopenia, if severe, may confer a bleeding risk. A careful history and physical examination should be performed to evaluate for other possible etiologies of cytopenias.

Complement Activation in Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Flierl MA, Gaudiani JL, Sabel A, Long CS, Stahel PF, Mehler PS. 'Complement Activation in Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Prospective Cohort Study.' Eating Disorders Research Society, 2010.