Eating disorder: anorexia nervosa Flashcards
What is the most common causes of admission to child and adolescent psychiatric wards?
Anorexia nervosa is the most common cause of admissions to child and adolescent psychiatric wards.
Who is most affected by anorexia nervosa? How common is it?
90% of patients are female
predominately affects teenage and young-adult females
prevalence of between 1:100 and 1:200
What are the features of anorexia nervosa?
Intense fear of gaining weight
Restriction of diet
- Pattern of behaviours to maintain low weight
- BMI <85% of expected, or rapid loss
- Amenorrhoea >3months in women
Distorted self-perception of weight
DSM-5: (no mention of amenorrhoea, BMI)
- Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
- Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
What are the features of anorexia nervosa on examination?
- reduced body mass index
- bradycardia
- hypotension
- enlarged salivary glands
What are the physiological changes found in laboratory investigations in anorexia nervosa?
- Low:
- hypokalaemia
- low FSH, LH, oestrogens and testosterone
- low T3
- High Gs and Cs:
- raised cortisol and growth hormone
- impaired glucose tolerance
- hypercholesterolaemia
- hypercarotinaemia
What is the management of anorexia nervosa?
ALWAYS MDT APPROACH
For adults with anorexia nervosa, NICE recommend we consider one of:
- individual eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-ED)
- Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA)
- specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM).
What is 1st line and 2nd line management for children and young people with anorexia nervosa?
ALWAYS MDT APPROACH
- In children and young people, NICE recommend ‘anorexia focused family therapy’ as the first-line treatment.
- The second-line treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy.
What is the prognosis of anorexia nervosa?
The prognosis of patients with anorexia nervosa remains poor.
Up to 10% of patients will eventually die because of the disorder.
What are the complications of starvation on each system?
Cardiovascular
- Bradycardia and hypotension
- Arrhythmia, sudden death
- Peripheral oedema
Respiratory
- Spontaneous pneumothorax
- Respiratory failure
Gastrointestinal
- Constipation
- Pancreatitis
- Hepatitis
- IBS
Metabolic/Haematologic
- Electrolyte derangement
- Hypoglycaemia
- Refeeding syndrome
- Pancytopaenia
- Hypothermia
Endocrine
- Amenorrhoea, infertility
- Osteoporosis
- Arrested growth
Neurological
- Cognitive impairment
- Cerebral atrophy
Dermatological
- Dry skin, brittle nails + hair
- Alopecia
- Lanugo hair
- Pruritis
What is the risk assessment of anorexia called?
MARSIPAN
What does the MARSIPAN screening consist of?
“MAnagement of Really SIck Patients with Anorexia Nervosa”
Guides admission decisions
Criteria:
- BMI
- Obs
- Hydration status
- ECG
- Muscle weakness
- Electrolytes
- Mental health/behaviour
Who is involved in the MDT in eating disorders?
- Medical
- Psychology (systemic therapy)
- Dietician
- OT
Which electrolytes become low in refeeding syndrome?
Phosphate
Potassium
Magnesium