Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Bulimia Nervosa: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Published Cases.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is typically attributed to critically unwell patients with trauma, burns, post surgery, and massive ascites. A rare but fatal cause of ACS is bulimia nervosa (BN), which is an eating disorder characterized by bingeing, followed by methods to avoid weight gain, including purging. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 20-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and distension after consuming a large quantity of food the previous night and was unable to purge. She was initially managed conservatively and discharged home, but returned subsequently on the same day with clinical features of ACS secondary to acute gastric distension. Decompression resulted in life-threatening reperfusion injury with critical electrolyte abnormalities and fatal cardiac arrest in the operating theatre. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: A systematic review of the literature found only 11 case reports of ACS secondary to BN, of which only 6 patients survived due to early diagnosis and decompression. Inability to purge and lower limb ischemia appeared to be associated with increased mortality. As BN is a common emergency presentation, the case and systematic review highlights the need to consider ACS as a potentially life-threatening complication of binge eating, particularly when there is unsuccessful purging.

T-wave morphology descriptors in patients with bulimia nervosa.

PURPOSE: Bulimia nervosa (BN) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and arrhythmias. Some reports found abnormal electrocardiographic markers of arrhythmias in BN, while others did not. This study investigated novel parameters of T-wave morphology that were reported to be associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in other patient groups, among patients with BN under medical care. METHOD: Thirty-five BN patients and 76 healthy controls were included. Total cosine R to T (TCRT) and T-wave Morphology Dispersion (TMD) parameters were computed according to accepted standards for an average beat and a random beat. Patients were followed for 11.1 ± 0.1 years for the emergence of arrhythmias or events of sudden death. RESULTS: Twenty-five (71.4%) BN patients were hospitalized when enrolled, for a mean duration of 1.1 ± 0.2 months. The rest were ambulatory patients. The BN group had lower blood pressure, more smokers, and used antidepressants, neuroleptic drugs and benzodiazepines more than controls did. Other demographic parameters were comparable between groups. TCRT and TMD parameters were statistically similar and within the normal ranges reported by other research groups. None of the BN patients had prolonged QTc interval or electrolyte abnormalities on inclusion. During the follow-up period, no clinical symptoms suggestive of arrhythmias were reported, and no cardiovascular-related hospitalizations or deaths occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: Medically treated BN patients have normal T-wave morphology parameters and hence, low risk for repolarization-associated malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The prognostic importance of these novel repolarization parameters remains to be explored among untreated patients, those who ingest emetic substances and patients with electrolyte imbalance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Necrotizing Sialometaplasia and Bulimia: A Case Report.

Bulimia is an eating disorder with a great prevalence in young women. Due to its multifactor ethiology, bulimia has systemic consequences. In the literature, necrotising sialometaplasia is seldom associated with bulimia. Its etiopathogenesis is discussed by several authors; nevertheless, the consensus does not consider the relevance of local trauma associated with induced vomiting. A case of necrotising sialomethaplasia, presented with a single hard palatal ulcer in a bulimic woman is described in the present report. The patient did not present significant systemic laboratorial values, nor physical weight variations, which highlights the relevance of performing a complete medical clinical history when diagnosing this rare pathology.

Association of Maternal Eating Disorders With Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes.

Importance: The prevalence of eating disorders is high among women of reproductive age, yet the association of eating disorders with pregnancy complications and neonatal health has not been investigated in detail, to our knowledge. Objective: To investigate the relative risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes for women with eating disorders. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study included all singleton births included in the Swedish Medical Birth Register from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2014. A total of 7542 women with eating disorders were compared with 1 225 321 women without eating disorders. Statistical analysis was performed from January 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Via linkage with the national patient register, women with eating disorders were identified and compared with women free of any eating disorder. Eating disorders were further stratified into active or previous disease based on last time of diagnosis. Main Outcomes and Measures: The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (hyperemesis, anemia, preeclampsia, and antepartum hemorrhage), the mode of delivery (cesarean delivery, vaginal delivery, or instrumental vaginal delivery), and the neonatal outcomes (preterm birth, small and large sizes for gestational age, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, and microcephaly) were calculated using Poisson regression analysis to estimate risk ratios (RRs). Models were adjusted for age, parity, smoking status, and birth year. Results: There were 2769 women with anorexia nervosa (mean [SD] age, 29.4 [5.3] years), 1378 women with bulimia nervosa (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [4.9] years), and 3395 women with an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS; mean [SD] age, 28.9 [5.3] years), and they were analyzed and compared with 1 225 321 women without eating disorders (mean [SD] age, 30.3 [5.2] years). All subtypes of maternal eating disorders were associated with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of hyperemesis during pregnancy (anorexia nervosa: RR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.8-2.5]; bulimia nervosa: RR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.6-2.7]; EDNOS: RR, 2.6 [95% CI, 2.3-3.0]). The risk of anemia during pregnancy was doubled for women with active anorexia nervosa (RR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.3-3.2]) or EDNOS (RR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.5-2.8]). Maternal anorexia nervosa was associated with an increased risk of antepartum hemorrhage (RR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.2-2.1]), which was more pronounced in active vs previous disease. Women with anorexia nervosa (RR, 0.7 [95% CI, 0.6-0.9]) and women with EDNOS (RR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.7-1.0]) were at decreased risk of instrumental-assisted vaginal births; otherwise, there were no major differences in mode of delivery. Women with eating disorders, all subtypes, were at increased risk of a preterm birth (anorexia nervosa: RR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.4-1.8]; bulimia nervosa: RR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.0-1.6]; and EDNOS: RR, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.2-1.6]) and of delivering neonates with microcephaly (anorexia nervosa: RR, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.5-2.4]; bulimia nervosa: RR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; EDNOS: RR, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.2-1.9]). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that women with active or previous eating disorders, regardless of subtype, are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and may need increased surveillance in antenatal and delivery care.

Disgust, impulsivity and depressive dimensions in subjects at risk for bulimia nervosa and/or binge eating disorder.

PURPOSE: the study aims to assess the depressive symptoms, the disgust feeling and the impulsivity index in subjects showing a high risk of binge eating disorder (BED) and/or bulimia nervosa (BN) through a cross-sectional study of 150 participants. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding age, sex, employment and marital status between subjects at high risk for BED/BN (Group A) and controls (Group B). However, participants in group A presented higher scores of depressions (p = 0.021), impulsivity (p = 0.027) and Disgust (p = 0.030) with significant associations. CONCLUSION: The neurobiological basis for these associations might be related to a dysfunction in the insular cortex.

Undesirable course of an oral implant rehabilitation in a patient with a long history of bulimia nervosa: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder resulting in an intended weight loss due to decreased food intake, induced vomiting, or hyperactivity, and is observed frequently between 12 and 25 years of age. One of the complications is early tooth loss. Moreover, since bulimia nervosa patients suffer from increased atrophy of the alveolar processes, oral rehabilitation even with short dental implants may be impossible. In these cases, lateralization or transposition of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) followed by implant placement can be useful. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman with a long-lasting history of bulimia nervosa requested a fixed rehabilitation of her partially edentulous mandible. In 2012, a bilateral IAN transposition approach was performed using piezosurgery, and without any postoperative neurosensory alterations. Two years later, bilateral insertion of each two implants was followed by an inflammatory destabilization of the lower left mandible; subsequent to the implant removal, a fracture occurred, and the latter was stabilized by osteosynthesis plates. In 2017, three additional implants were placed, finally providing the patient with a fixed restoration on five implants. CONCLUSION: Eating disorders may have a tremendous impact on both physical condition and oral health, resulting in early tooth loss and severe bone atrophy. IAN transposition is a viable treatment option to enable installing fixed prostheses via dental implants, but the latter will clearly increase the risk of inflammation and interruption of mandibular continuity. Close clinical and radiologic monitoring is mandatory to adequately respond to complications such as peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, osteomyelitis, or concomitant fractures.

Severe bupropion XR abuse in a patient with long-standing bulimia nervosa and complex PTSD.

OBJECTIVE: Although abuse of bupropion to achieve euphoria or a stimulant-like effect has been described in the literature, to our knowledge abuse of bupropion XR to control binge eating and reduce appetite by a patient with eating disorder has not been previously reported. METHOD: We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with bulimia nervosa and complex PTSD who abused bupropion XR to doses that at peak reached 3,000-4,500 mg/day. She suffered from adverse effects including headaches, tachycardia, anxiety, insomnia, and, finally, grand mal seizures. RESULTS: Unable to control the abuse on her own, she sought inpatient treatment, following which she remained off bupropion XR for a year. However, she subsequently relapsed. DISCUSSION: The stimulant, euphoriant, and anorexic effects of bupropion XR contribute to its potential for abuse, particularly among patients with eating disorders. Clinicians are reminded to screen for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa histories prior to prescribing this medication, and to consider its abuse among eating disorder patients presenting with seizures. For patients abusing this medication, motivational interviewing in the context of a strong, ongoing therapeutic relationship might help to achieve sustained periods of abstinence.

The role of maternal anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa before and during pregnancy in early childhood wheezing: Findings from the NINFEA birth cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates associations of maternal eating disorders (bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and purging behaviors) with infant wheezing and examines the effects of eating disorders on several wheezing determinants. METHOD: We studied 5,150 singletons from the NINFEA birth cohort. Maternal bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa diagnoses were ascertained from the questionnaires completed in pregnancy and 6 months after delivery, and were analyzed as: ever diagnosis, only before pregnancy, and during pregnancy. Purging behaviors were assessed for 12 months before or during pregnancy. The associations with wheezing between 6 and 18 months of age were assessed in models adjusted for a priori selected confounders. RESULTS: Children born to mothers with lifetime eating disorders were at an increased risk of developing wheezing (adjusted OR 1.68; [95% CI: 1.08, 2.60]), and this risk further increased when the disorders were active during pregnancy (2.52 [1.23, 5.19]). Increased risk of offspring wheezing was observed also for purging behaviors without history of eating disorder diagnosis (1.50 [1.10, 2.04]). The observed associations were not explained by comorbid depression and/or anxiety. Bulimia nervosa and/or anorexia nervosa during pregnancy were also associated with several risk factors for wheezing, including maternal smoking, adverse pregnancy outcomes, shorter breastfeeding duration, and day-care attendance. DISCUSSION: The associations of maternal eating disorders with offspring wheezing suggest long-term adverse respiratory outcomes in children of mothers with eating disorders. A better understanding of mechanisms implicated is necessary to help reduce the respiratory disease burden in these children.

Are treatment results for eating disorders affected by ADHD symptoms? A one-year follow-up of adult females.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of self-reported Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms on recovery rate at 1-year follow-up in an unselected group of patients in a specialized eating disorder (ED) clinic. METHODS: Four hundred forty-three adult females with an ED were assessed with the ADHD Self-Report Scale for Adults (ASRS-screener), and for demographic variables and ED symptoms. Recovery was registered at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A high degree of ADHD symptoms at baseline was predictive for nonrecovery of ED at 1-year follow-up in patients with loss of control over eating, bingeing, or purging. The presence of inattentive ADHD symptoms was stronger associated with nonrecovery than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of ADHD symptoms may have a negative impact on recovery in ED. Screening/diagnostic evaluation of ADHD in all loss of control over eating/bingeing/purging ED patients and studies of the effect of implementing ADHD-treatment strategies in this patient group are recommended.

Obstetric and gynecologic problems associated with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This article summarizes the literature on obstetric and gynecologic complications associated with eating disorders. METHOD: We performed a comprehensive search of the current literature on obstetric and gynecologic complications associated with eating disorders using PubMed. More recent randomized-controlled trials and larger data sets received priority. We also chose those that we felt would be the most relevant to providers. RESULTS: Common obstetric and gynecologic complications for women with eating disorders include infertility, unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, poor nutrition during pregnancy, having a baby with small head circumference, postpartum depression and anxiety, sexual dysfunction and complications in the treatment for gynecologic cancers. There are also unique associations by eating disorder diagnosis, such as earlier cessation of breastfeeding in anorexia nervosa; increased polycystic ovarian syndrome in bulimia nervosa; and complications of obesity as a result of binge eating disorder. DISCUSSION: We focus on possible biological and psychosocial factors underpinning risk for poor obstetric and gynecological outcomes in eating disorders. Understanding these factors may improve both our understanding of the reproductive needs of women with eating disorders and their medical outcomes. We also highlight the importance of building multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care to women with eating disorders during the reproductive years.

Comportamento de risco para bulimia nervosa, hábitos alimentares e de higiene bucal como fatores associados ao desgaste dentário erosivo e cárie dentária em adolescentes / Bulimia nervosa risk behavior, dietary habits and oral hygiene practices as associated factors for erosive tooth wear and dental caries among adolescents

Os distúrbios alimentares possuem uma etiologia multifatorial, composta de predisposições socioculturais, genéticas e vulnerabilidades biológicas e psicológicas. Entre os fatores predisponentes, destacam-se os padrões de interação presentes no ambiente familiar e o contexto sociocultural, caracterizado pela extrema valorização do corpo. A presença de algumas condições bucais, como o desgaste dentário erosivo e a cárie dentária, pode estar relacionada à ocorrência de distúrbios alimentares, como a bulimia nervosa (BN). Pesquisas sobre fatores de risco favorecem a análise oportuna de possíveis sinais e sintomas e, consequentemente, o estabelecimento de condutas preventivas. Este trabalho objetivou comparar a ocorrência do desgaste dentário erosivo e da cárie dentária em adolescentes com e sem comportamento de risco para BN, e investigar a influência de hábitos alimentares e de higiene bucal na ocorrência de desgaste dentário erosivo e da cárie dentária. Aprovação ética e termos de consentimento foram obtidos. A amostra foi composta por 225 escolares do sexo feminino, na faixa etária de 15 a 18 anos, oriundas de escolas das redes pública e particular de ensino de Belo Horizonte, no sudeste do Brasil. O comportamento de risco para BN foi avaliado segundo as subescalas de sintomas e gravidade dos sintomas da versão brasileira do Teste de Investigação Bulímica de Edinburgh (BITE) sendo categorizado em: hábito alimentar normal, comportamento de risco clinicamente significante e grave comportamento de risco. Os hábitos alimentares e de higiene bucal foram avaliados através de questionários autoaplicáveis. O desgaste dentário erosivo e a cárie dentária foram avaliados através dos índices de O'Sullivan e ICDAS II, respectivamente, por uma examinadora previamente calibrada (Kappa intra-examinador: 0,90 e 0,81; Kappa inter-examinadores: 0,88 e 0,83, referentes à erosão e à cárie dentária). Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e inferencial, através do software SPSS 18.0 (p<0,05). Através do modelo de regressão logística constatou-se que o grave comportamento de risco para a BN foi associado com o desgaste dentário erosivo (OR = 8,31; IC 95% = 3,91-16,91), e com adolescentes provenientes de escolas privadas (OR = 3,11 IC 95% = 1,44-6,45), mas não com a cárie dentária (OR = 1,13, IC 95% = 0,72-1,73). O comportamento de risco clinicamente significante para bulimia não foi associado às condições bucais avaliadas (p>0,05). Com relação aos hábitos alimentares, o desgaste dentário erosivo foi associado ao consumo diário de frutas cítricas (p<0,009) e refrigerantes com açúcar (p<0,046), enquanto a cárie dentária foi associada ao consumo diário de biscoitos recheados (p<0,049). O hábito de escovar os dentes imediatamente após as refeições foi estatisticamente associado à ocorrência de desgaste dentário erosivo no grupo com grave comportamento de risco para BN (p=0,047). O comportamento de risco para BN, caracterizado como clinicamente significante, não foi associado com implicações dentárias, mas o grave comportamento de risco para BN foi associado com a ocorrência de desgaste dentário erosivo. Hábitos alimentares e de higiene bucal foram associados à presença de desgaste dentário erosivo e cárie dentária

Eating disorders have a multifactorial etiology, composed of sociocultural and genetic predispositions as well as biological and psychological vulnerabilities. Among the predisposing factors, it is important to highlight the interaction patterns present in the family environment and the sociocultural context characterized by the overvaluation of the body and beauty standards. The presence of some dental implications such as erosive tooth wear and dental caries may be related to the occurrence of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa (BN). Research on eating disorders' risk factors favors the timely analysis of possible signs and symptoms and, consequently, the establishment of preventive measures. This study aimed to compare the occurrence of erosive tooth wear and dental caries in adolescents with and without risk factor for BN, and investigate the influence of dietary habits and oral hygiene practices with the occurrence of erosive tooth wear and dental caries. Ethical approval and written consent forms were obtained. The sample consisted of female students, aged 15-18 years, from private and public schools in Belo Horizonte, southeastern Brazil. Risk behavior for BN was evaluated according to the subscales of symptoms and severity of the Brazilian version of the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) and classified in normal eaten behavior, clinically significant bulimic risk behavior and severe bulimic risk behavior. Eating habits and oral hygiene practices were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. Erosive tooth wear and dental caries were evaluated by the O'Sullivan index and the ICDAS-II index, respectively, by a previously calibrated examiner (intraexaminer Kappa: 0.90 and 0.81, Kappa inter-examiner: 0.88 and 0.83, related to tooth erosion and dental caries). The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, using SPSS 18.0 software (p <0.05). Through the logistic regression model it was found that the severe risk behavior for BN was associated with erosive tooth wear (OR = 8.31; 95% CI = 3.91-16.91), and adolescents from private schools (OR = 3.11 95% CI = 1.44- 6.45), but not with dental caries (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.72-1.73). The clinically significant risk behavior for BN was not associated with the assessed oral conditions (p> 0.05). With regard to eating habits, erosive tooth wear was associated with daily consumption of citric fruits (p<0.009), and soft drinks with sugar (p<0.046), while dental caries was associated with the daily consumption of cream biscuits (p<0.049). The habit of brushing the teeth shortly after eating was statistically associated with the occurrence of erosive tooth wear in the group with severe risk behavior for BN (p = 0.047). The risk behavior for BN, classified as clinically significant, was not associated with dental implications, but the severe risk behavior for BN was associated with the occurrence of erosive tooth wear. Dietary and oral hygiene habits were associated with the presence of erosive tooth wear and dental caries.

Biomarkers of nutrition and stress in pregnant women with a history of eating disorders in relation to head circumference and neurocognitive function of the offspring.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders during pregnancy can affect fetal growth and the child's early development, but the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate serum biomarkers of nutrition and stress in pregnant women with previous eating disorders compared to controls and in relation to head circumference and early neurocognitive development of the offspring. METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort study, pregnant nulliparous non-smoking women with a history of anorexia nervosa (n = 20), bulimia nervosa (n = 17) and controls (n = 59) were followed during pregnancy and their children's growth and neurocognitive development were followed up to five years of age. We investigated maternal serum biomarkers of nutrition and stress (ferritin, cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 1) in blood samples collected during early pregnancy and compared between groups (ANOVA, LSD post-hoc test). The results were related to previous data on head circumference at birth and neurocognitive development at five years of age of the offspring (Spearman rank correlation or Pearson correlation test). RESULTS: Serum levels of ferritin in the women with previous anorexia nervosa, but not in those with a history of bulimia nervosa, were significantly lower than in the controls (p < 0.01), and correlated strongly to impaired memory function in their children (rs = -0.70, p < 0.001). Maternal serum levels of free thyroxine were similar between groups but correlated positively to reduced head circumference at birth of the children in the bulimia nervosa group (r = 0.48, p < 0.05), and with the same tendency in the anorexia nervosa group (r = 0.42, p = 0.07), but not in the controls (r = 0.006). There were no significant differences in cortisol or the other biomarkers between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low maternal serum ferritin in women with previous anorexia nervosa may be of importance for impaired memory capacity in the offspring at five years of age. Our results also indicate that thyroxin levels in pregnant women with previous eating disorders are positively associated with fetal head growth.

Nonnormative eating behavior and psychopathology in prebariatric patients with binge-eating disorder and night eating syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Binge-eating disorder (BED) as a distinct eating disorder category and night eating syndrome (NES) as a form of Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders were recently included in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This study sought to investigate the prevalence of BED and NES and associations with various forms of nonnormative eating behavior and psychopathology in prebariatric patients. Within a consecutive multicenter registry study, patients in 6 bariatric surgery centers in Germany were recruited. METHODS: Overall, 233 prebariatric patients were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination and self-report questionnaires. Assessment was unrelated to clinical procedures. RESULTS: Diagnostic criteria for full-syndrome BED and NES were currently met by 4.3% and 8.2% of prebariatric patients, respectively. In addition, 8.6% and 6.9% of patients met subsyndromal BED and NES criteria, respectively. Co-morbid BED and NES diagnoses were present in 3.9% of patients. In comparison to patients without any eating disorder symptoms, patients with BED and NES reported greater emotional eating, eating in the absence of hunger, and more symptoms of food addiction. Moreover, differences between patients with BED and NES emerged with more objective binge-eating episodes and higher levels of eating concern, weight concern, and global eating disorder psychopathology in patients with BED. CONCLUSION: BED and NES were shown to be prevalent among prebariatric patients, with some degree of overlap between diagnoses. Associations with nonnormative eating behavior and psychopathology point to their clinical significance and discriminant validity.

Psychopharmacologic treatment of eating disorders: emerging findings.

Psychopharmacologic treatment is playing a greater role in the management of patients with eating disorders. In this paper, we review randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other eating disorders over the past 3 years. Fluoxetine remains the only medication approved for an eating disorder, that being BN. RCTs of antipsychotics in AN have had mixed results; the only agent with some evidence of efficacy is olanzapine. One study suggests dronabinol may induce weight gain in AN. Preliminary studies suggest lack of efficacy of alprazolam, dehydroepiandrosterone, or physiologic estrogen replacement in AN; erythromycin in BN; and the opioid antagonist ALKS-33 in BED. In BED with obesity or overweight, bupropion may cause mild weight loss without seizures, and chromium may improve glucose regulation. Also in BED, three RCTs suggest the stimulant prodrug lisdexamfetamine may reduce binge eating episodes, and another RCT suggests intranasal naloxone may decrease time spent binge eating. There remains a disconnection between the size of eating disorders as a public health problem and the lack of pharmacotherapy research of these conditions.

Barrett's esophagus in anorexia nervosa: a case report.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic lesion that may result from long-lasting gastroesophageal reflux and it is an established precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. There are reports of an increased prevalence of BE, and eventually esophageal adenocarcinoma, in patients with eating disorders characterized by purging behaviors like those with bulimia nervosa (BN). Among patients with eating disorders, those affected by anorexia nervosa binging purging subtype (ANBP), are behaviorally very similar to those with BN, but to our knowledge there are no data in literature about BE in patients with ANBP. We present the case of a 37-year-old female with a 20-year history of ANBP in comorbidity with bipolar disorder, who developed a BE requiring multi-specialistic intervention.

A case of hyperemesis in bulimia nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, primarily self-induced vomiting. Most common complications are due to purge behaviors and are frequently responsible for hospitalization. These include electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, hypovolemia, stomatitis, esophageal diseases, and functional impairment of the colon. However, an obstruction-like syndrome has never been reported. We report the case of a middle-age woman suffering from bulimia nervosa and referring at the emergency department with a 7-day story of hyperemesis responsible for an acute renal failure. During hospitalization, after the most important and common medical causes of hyperemesis were excluded, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. The endoscopist reported the presence of an impressive bezoar, which underwent to mechanical fragmentation and biopsy sampling, revealing it was made up exclusively of liquorice wheels. An endoscopy performed few days after showed the complete dissolution of the bezoar, and the patient was discharged without any further gastrointestinal complaint.

Eating disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute kidney injury and electrolyte derangement.

We present a case of a 40-year-old woman with a history of ongoing anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa who has required multiple admissions to hospital for management of acute kidney injury (AKI) and electrolyte derangement. This case is of interest as recent studies have highlighted the significant prevalence of disordered eating and the major public health implications this may have. We discuss the unusual finding of hypercalcaemia in this case and address the investigation and management of AKI and electrolyte disturbance in a patient with anorexia and bulimia.

[Erythema ab igne in a patient with bulimia nervosa]. / Erythema ab igne bei einer Patientin mit Bulimia nervosa.

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a skin lesion, which is characterized by a localized netlike erythema. For the occurrence of the dermatosis a continuous or regular heat exposure and infrared radiation to a skin area is necessary. The reticulated maculae could fade after stopping the heat exposure, persist as hyperpigmentation and in single cases a malignant transformation is possible. We present a patient with bulimia nervosa (BN), who developed an EAI after consequent use of a hot-water bottle. In the context of the eating disorder the patient reported a general feeling of cold. She avoided the contact with the abdomen to prevent a stimulation of the digestion. Therefore the EAI was located predominantly on the medial thighs. After stopping the heat application the EAI faded slightly in the periphery und turned browner.