Anorexia Nervosa Flashcards
What is the epidemiology of anorexia nervosa?
Ten times more common in females than males
Mean age of onset for females is 16-17
Mean age of onset for males is 12
What are the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa?
Low body weight - 15% below expected bmi less than 17.5
Self induced weight loss - avoidance of fattening foods, purging, excessive exercise
Body image distortion - dread of fatness
Endocrine disorders - amenorrhea, reduced sexual interest, abnormal insulin secretion
Delayed/arrested puberty
What are the differential diagnoses for anorexia nervosa?
Depression Obsessional symptoms Personality disorder Brain tumour Chronic debilitating disease Intestinal disorder Malabsorption syndromes
What does the term ‘atypical anorexia nervosa’ mean?
It is used to describe a patient’s illness when one or more of the key features of anorexia nervosa are absent but which otherwise presents a fairly typical picture.
Other than the key diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa what are the other symptoms?
Constipation Dry skin Hair loss Headaches Fainting Dizziness Lethargy Poor concentration
What are the possible physical complications of anorexia nervosa?
Dental cavities Arrhythmia Hypotension Delayed gastric emptying Gastric atrophy Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Infertility Leukopenia Anaemia Dry scaly skin Hair loss Delayed/arrested puberty Osteoporosis Constipation Loss of brain volume
What are the risk factors of anorexia nervosa?
Female Age - teens Obsessive/perfectionistic traits Exposure to western media Identical twin affected Middle/upper socioeconomic class Family dysfunction
How is anorexia nervosa treated?
Steady weigh restoration through eating plan of frequent (4-6 a day) modest meals. Family/behavioural/individual therapy. SSRIs. Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium repletion.
What is the risk of refeeding in anorexia nervosa?
Cardiac compensation may occur where the myocardium cannot withstand the stress of an increased metabolic demand. Symptoms include bloating, oedema, congestive cardiac failure
