Extreme anorexia nervosa: medical findings, outcomes, and inferences from a retrospective cohort

Severe hypoglycemia with reduced liver volume as an indicator of end-stage malnutrition in patients with anorexia nervosa: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Hypophosphatemia due to excessive carbohydrate administration is considered the primary pathogenesis of refeeding syndrome. However, its association with liver injury and hypoglycemia, often seen in severe malnutrition before re-nutrition, remains unclear. Autophagy reportedly occurs in the liver of patients with severe malnutrition. This study aimed to clarify the pathophysiology of liver injury and hypoglycemia by focusing on liver volume.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with anorexia nervosa with a body mass index (BMI) of < 13 kg/m2 were included (median BMI: 10.51 kg/m2 on admission). Liver volume was measured in 36 patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT), and the "estimated liver weight/ideal body weight" was used as the liver volume index. Seventeen blood test items were analyzed during the first 60 days.

RESULTS

Liver volume significantly decreased when abdominal CTs were conducted shortly before or after hypoglycemia compared to when the scans were performed during periods without hypoglycemia. Five patients with severe hypoglycemia on days 13-18 after admission had a very low nutritional intake; of them, four showed a marked decrease in liver volume. Severe hypoglycemia was accompanied by low serum triglycerides and liver dysfunction. Patients experiencing hypoglycemia of blood glucose levels < 55 mg/dL (< 3.05 mmol/L) (32 patients; median lowest BMI: 9.45 kg/m2) exhibited significantly poorer blood findings for most of the 17 items, except serum phosphorus and potassium, than did those not experiencing hypoglycemia (16 patients; median lowest BMI: 11.2 kg/m2). All patients with a poor prognosis belonged to the hypoglycemia group. Empirically, initiating re-nutrition at 500 kcal/day (20-25 kcal/kg/day), increasing to 700-800 kcal/day after a week, and then gradually escalating can reduce serious complications following severe hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver volume reduction accompanied by hypoglycemia, low serum triglyceride levels, and liver dysfunction occurs when the body's stored energy sources are depleted and external nutritional intake is inadequate, suggesting that the liver was consumed as a last resort to obtain energy essential for daily survival. This pathophysiology, distinct from refeeding syndrome, indicates the terminal stage of malnutrition and is a risk factor for complications and poor prognosis. In treatment, extremely low nutrient levels should be avoided.

Identifying potential cases of eating disorders in an acute medical hospital

OBJECTIVE

To identify patients presenting to an acute medical hospital with common signs and symptoms that occur in people with eating disorders (EDs), and determine by retrospective file audit if these are diagnosed cases of an ED.

METHOD

The investigators screened electronic medical records of people 16 years and older for common signs and symptoms of an ED such as hypokalemia, in patients presenting to an acute hospital in Sydney, Australia from 2018 to 2020. Cases where the clinical finding was unexplained had their file audited. Cases with a known ED diagnosis or coded with an ED were also retrieved to audit.

RESULTS

Investigators identified 192 definite ED cases with a total of 598 episodes of care from 2018 to 2020 presenting to the hospital. Eighty-three cases were identified as possible EDs due to unexplained clinical signs consistent with an ED, but were not confirmed cases due to lack of clinical history in the file. Only 19.1% of presentations were diagnostically coded with an ED in the electronic medical record.

DISCUSSION

Our study revealed a large number of definite ED cases presenting to an acute medical hospital via the emergency department, who were not recognized as having an ED. Greater awareness of clinical signs and symptoms of an ED, such as unexplained low body mass index and hypokalemia, is necessary among acute care clinicians. Correctly identifying EDs in those seeking somatic care should be a public health priority, to facilitate timely and equitable access to diagnostic assessment and evidence based treatment.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

People with eating disorders (EDs) present to acute care settings and have a relatively high utilization of generalist health services with nonspecific problems such as abdominal pain. An enhanced understanding of healthcare utilization by people with EDs, who may not disclose their symptoms, is crucial for improving access to treatment.

Associations between low body weight, weight loss, and medical instability in adults with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

The physical complications of atypical anorexia nervosa remain understudied, with most studies completed in adolescents. This study seeks to examine the impact of various weight measures as predictors of medical instability in a large cohort of adult eating disorder patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the impact of admission body mass index (BMI), weight suppression, and recent weight loss (the rate of weight loss within the last 12 months) toward the development of medical complications of malnutrition were examined. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association of binary clinical outcomes of interest with recent weight loss and weight suppression (adjusting for age, admission BMI, gender, and purging behaviors). Odds ratios (OR) and 99% confidence intervals were reported.

RESULTS

Greater recent weight loss increased the odds of developing low prealbumin and reduced hand grip strength. A greater weight suppression was associated with increased likelihood of amenorrhea, reduced systolic blood pressure, nadir hemoglobin, and weekly weight gain upon nutritional rehabilitation. Lower admission BMI was predictive of all the medical outcomes examined, with the exception of bradycardia, and was generally the strongest predictor based on standardized coefficients.

DISCUSSION

Recent weight loss and weight suppression are predictive of some of the physiologic changes of malnutrition, although low BMI is seemingly the greatest predictor for the development of these complications. These findings suggest that some patients with aggressive weight suppression and/or acute weight loss would benefit from medical stabilization, although this needs to be further defined.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

In adults, low BMI seems to be a better predictor of medical complications than weight suppression or aggressive recent weight loss. In adults, greater weight suppression is associated with increased likelihood of amenorrhea, reduced systolic blood pressure, nadir hemoglobin, and weight gain upon nutritional rehabilitation.

Change in motivational bias during treatment predicts outcome in anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Reward and punishment sensitivity are known to be altered in anorexia nervosa (AN). Most research has examined these constructs separately although motivated behavior is influenced by considering both the potential for reward and risk of punishment. The present study sought to compare the relative balance of reward and punishment sensitivity in AN versus healthy controls (HCs) and examine whether motivational bias is associated with AN symptoms and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Adolescents and adults with AN (n = 262) in a partial hospitalization program completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, and Sensitivity to Punishment/Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ) at admission and discharge. HCs (HC; n = 90) completed the BIS/BAS and SPSRQ. Motivational Bias Scores were calculated to reflect the dominance of reward versus punishment sensitivity.

RESULTS

Individuals with AN demonstrated significantly greater bias toward punishment sensitivity than HC. In AN, a bias toward punishment was associated with higher EDE-Q Global score at admission. Change in motivational bias during treatment predicted EDE-Q Global scores, but not BMI, at discharge, with greater increases in reward sensitivity or greater decreases in punishment sensitivity during treatment predicting lower eating pathology. Similar findings were observed using the BIS/BAS and SPSRQ.

DISCUSSION

Change in motivational bias during treatment is associated with improved outcomes in AN. However, it appears that much of the change in motivational bias can be attributed to changes in punishment sensitivity, rather than reward sensitivity. Future research should examine the mechanisms underlying punishment sensitivity decreases during treatment.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Sensitivity to reward and punishment may be important treatment targets for individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN). To date, most research has considered reward and punishment sensitivity separately, rather than examining their relationship to each other. We found that the balance of reward and punishment sensitivity (i.e., motivational bias) differs between healthy controls and those with AN and that this bias is associated with eating disorder symptoms and treatment outcome.

Medical and Psychiatric Features of Patients Hospitalized for Severe Restrictive Eating Disorders: Analysis of 545 Consecutive Patients with Severe Anorexia Nervosa or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

BACKGROUND

People with severe eating and feeding disorders regularly require hospitalization due to complications inherent to their disease, though formal training regarding this care is limited.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 545 patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN) or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder hospitalized in a medical stabilization unit between 2018 and 2021. Biometrics were obtained throughout hospitalization. Nutrition was increased until patients were gaining 0.2 kg/day.

RESULTS

Average admission body mass index was 13 kg/m2 with diagnoses of 46% AN-R (restricting), 39% AN-BP (binge-purge), and 15% avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Average daily Kcals by discharge were 3343 for females and 3962 for males; 26% required nasogastric feeding. Hypoglycemia was common until day 7, correlated with elevated liver function tests and low prealbumin. Liver function tests were abnormal in 31% of patients. Refeeding hypophosphatemia developed in 26% of patients starting day 2 and was associated with lower body mass index. Hypokalemia appeared on admission among 39%, twice as common in patients diagnosed with AN-BP. Initial electrocardiograms were abnormal in 50% of patients, usually sinus bradycardia. Average QTc was normal, but only 14% prolonged. Bone density testing revealed 70% osteoporosis. History of suicide attempts were present in 19%, while 76% and 50% presented with anxiety and depressive disorders, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the inextricability of medical complications from severe eating and feeding disorders, familiarity among consult-liaison psychiatrists with the prevalence of frequently observed abnormal findings can inform consultation, prevent adverse events, prevent unnecessary intervention, and facilitate weight restoration and medical stabilization.

Choosing Appropriate Nutritional Therapy for Patients With Anorexia Nervosa Exhibiting Liver Dysfunction: A Case Report

Anorexia nervosa (AN) presents with a variety of physical complications such as hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, and dehydration associated with starvation, requiring rapid weight gain through nutritional therapy. However, despite nutritional therapy, patients are at risk of many serious medical complications, including hypoglycemia, hypophosphatemia, edema, and liver damage. Starvation has been found to cause hepatocyte injury with mild-to-severe increases in liver enzyme levels, and distinguishing between autophagy and refeeding syndrome is important for treatment strategies. Herein, we report a rare case of sudden liver injury after the initiation of nutritional therapy in a patient with AN. A 35-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of weight loss due to AN. Nutritional therapy was initiated at 600 kcal/day and increased to 1500 kcal/day on the 21st day of admission. On the 22nd day after admission, rapid liver injury was observed, with an aspartate aminotransferase level of 141 U/L and an alanine aminotransferase level of 221 U/L. After the exclusion of refeeding syndrome, since there was no evidence of hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, or fatty liver disease based on blood tests and abdominal echography, we diagnosed starvation-induced hepatocyte autophagy, and she was treated with the same calories. Her liver dysfunction gradually improved thereafter. This case report highlights the clinical utility of identifying the etiology of hepatic dysfunction in patients with AN. Clinicians must make appropriate decisions regarding continuing or reducing nutritional therapy based on relevant tests when patients with AN develop liver dysfunction after the initiation of nutritional therapy.

[Medical complications in anorexia and bulimia nervosa]

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.

Rapidly progressing severe coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia in extreme anorexia nervosa patient with small bowel strangulation: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by severe dietary restriction or other weight loss behaviors motivated by a strong fear of body weight gain and a disturbed body image. In this paper, we report a case of an extreme AN patient, in whom severe coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia rapidly progressed with strangulation obstruction.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A female patient in her 20's with previous history of AN came to our hospital complaining acute onset abdominal pain. Her body mass index at presentation was 12.1 kg/m2; thus, she was classified as an "extreme" AN (BMI <15) according to DSM-5 classification. Abdominal CT scan showed small bowel obstruction without strangulation. Although severe leukopenia appeared soon after admission, platelet count and coagulation tests were maintained relatively well. Due to her severe malnutrition, we proposed nutritional therapy and subsequent surgical adhesiolysis; however, she refused any kind of nutritional therapy. On admission day 13, she suddenly developed a strangulation obstruction. At the same time, severe coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia rapidly progressed. Emergency laparotomy was performed using a massive blood transfusion. Bowel strangulation was successfully released; however, intraabdominal bleeding was repeated postoperatively and three more operations were required until complete hemostasis and abdominal closure. After long rehabilitation, she was discharged from our hospital on day 116.

DISCUSSION

The medical comorbidities associated with AN extend various organ systems; among them, the hematologic complication can be a life-threatening problem during emergency surgery for a patient with AN.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge about the pathophysiology of AN is quite essential for all surgeons.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Receptor: Possible Involvement in Anorexia Nervosa

The pathophysiology of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) has not been fully elucidated. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor is a protein-tyrosine kinase mainly known as a key oncogenic driver. Recently, a genetic deletion of ALK in mice has been found to increase energy expenditure and confers resistance to obesity in these animals, suggesting its role in the regulation of thinness. Here, we investigated the expression of ALK and the downstream intracellular pathways in female rats subjected to the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model, which reproduces important features of human AN. In the hypothalamic lysates of ABA rats, we found a reduction in ALK receptor expression, a downregulation of Akt phosphorylation, and no change in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. After the recovery from body weight loss, ALK receptor expression returned to the control baseline values, while it was again suppressed during a second cycle of ABA induction. Overall, this evidence suggests a possible involvement of the ALK receptor in the pathophysiology of AN, that may be implicated in its stabilization, resistance, and/or its exacerbation.

Predictors of Treatment Outcome in Eating Disorders: A Roadmap to Inform Future Research Efforts

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the current review, we provide a brief summary of recent literature that tests clinically observable characteristics at baseline that may impact treatment response, across eating disorder diagnoses. We then provide a critical discussion regarding how researchers may shift their approach to this research to improve treatment implications and generalizability of these findings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has broadly replicated prior findings suggesting a negative impact of lower weight status, poor emotion regulation, and early-life trauma on eating disorder treatment outcomes. Findings are more mixed for the relative contributions of illness duration, psychiatric comorbidity, and baseline symptom severity. Recent studies have begun to explore more specific domains of previously tested predictors (e.g., specific comorbidities) as well as previously neglected identity-related and systemic factors. However, recent research continues to use similar sampling techniques and approaches to analysis used in prior work. We propose that resolving remaining questions and illuminating predictors of treatment outcome in eating disorders requires a new approach to research sampling and study design. Suggested changes that can be applied within a traditional clinical trial framework may yield new insights with relevance across transdiagnostic eating disorder presentations.

Disordered eating is associated with blunted blood pressure reactivity and poorer habituation to acute psychological stress

Psychological stress has been shown to influence the development and progression of disordered eating. Psychophysiological studies have reported that individuals with disordered eating behavior exhibit atypical cardiovascular reactions to acute psychological stress. However, prior studies have been limited by small sample sizes and have examined cardiovascular responses to a singular stress exposure. The current study examined the association between disordered eating and cardiovascular reactivity, as well as cardiovascular habituation to acute psychological stress. A mixed-sex sample (N = 450) of undergraduate students were categorized into a disordered eating or non-disordered eating group using a validated disordered eating screening questionnaire and attended a laboratory stress testing session. The testing session included two identical stress-testing protocols, each consisting of a 10-minute baseline and 4-minute stress task. Cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded throughout the testing session. Post task measures of self-reported stress, as well as positive affect and negative affect (NA) reactivity were used to assess psychological reactions to stress. The disordered eating group exhibited greater increases in NA reactivity in response to both stress exposures. Additionally, in comparison to the control group, those in the disordered eating group exhibited blunted MAP reactivity to the initial stress exposure and less MAP habituation across both stress exposures. These findings indicate that disordered eating is characterized by dysregulated hemodynamic stress responsivity, which may constitute a physiological mechanism leading to poor physical health outcomes.

Thrombocytopenia and PT-INR in patients with anorexia nervosa and severe liver dysfunction

BACKGROUND

We previously reported a case that led us to hypothesize that decreased production of thrombopoietin (TPO) leads to thrombocytopenia in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) with severe liver dysfunction and that prolonged prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) predicts thrombocytopenia in such cases. To validate this hypothesis, we report another case in which TPO levels were measured. In addition, we examined the association between prolonged PT-INR and thrombocytopenia in such patients.

MAIN BODY

Similar to the previously reported patient, a patient with AN with severe liver dysfunction showed that TPO levels increased after improvements in liver enzyme levels and PT-INR, followed by recovery of platelet count. In addition, a retrospective study was also conducted to review patients with AN whose liver enzyme levels were > 3 × the upper limit of normal (aspartate aminotransferase > 120 U/L or alanine aminotransferase > 135 U/L). The study included 58 patients and showed a correlation coefficient of -0.486 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.661 to -0.260; P < 0.001) between maximum PT-INR and minimum platelet count. These patients showed higher PT-INR (β, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.13; P = 0.005) and lower platelet count (β, -5.49; 95% CI, -7.47 to -3.52; P < 0.001) than the 58 matched control patients without severe liver dysfunction, even after adjusting for body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AN with severe liver dysfunction, prolongation of PT-INR could predict thrombocytopenia, which may be mediated by decreased TPO production due to decreased hepatic synthetic function.

Renal and electrolyte complications in eating disorders: a comprehensive review

Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders with significant and widespread medical complications, including renal disorders. Renal disease is not uncommon in patients with eating disorders but is often unrecognized. It includes both acute renal injury and progression to chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Electrolyte abnormalities including hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis are common in eating disorders and vary depending on whether patients engage in purging behaviors. Chronic hypokalemia due to purging in patients with anorexia nervosa-binge purge subtype or bulimia nervosa can lead to hypokalemic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. Additional electrolyte derangements are seen during refeeding, including hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia. Patients can also develop Pseudo-Bartter's syndrome which leads to edema and rapid weight gain in patients who cease purging behavior. Clinicians and patients should be aware of these complications in order to provide education and early detection and prevention.

Emergency room presentations of people with anorexia nervosa

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) tend to shy away from engaging in typical primary care provider relationships in order to avoid detection. Therefore, they may seek care for their medical concerns through a local emergency department (ED). Inherently, AN is associated with a litany of medical complications, which become more prevalent as the severity of their eating disorder increases. Notwithstanding the typical young age at the onset of AN, no body system is immune to these medical complications. Thus, ED providers may need to pursue a medical diagnosis in order to explain presenting symptoms in people with AN. In addition to the medical issues, AN is also a serious mental illness with high mortality rates, including deaths by suicide. Therefore, ED providers also need to be familiar with relevant mental health issues for these people.

Pulmonary complications of eating disorders: a literature review

The medical complications of eating disorders (EDs) have been described in the literature; however, the pulmonary system has historically been described as relatively spared from the ravages of eating disorders and thus neglected in the literature. Here we review the pulmonary complications that have been described in the literature, including the effects of starvation on the lungs of nutritionally deprived animals and patients with anorexia nervosa. There is clear evidence of weakness of respiratory muscles with starvation in both groups. However, there is discordance in the literature as to whether starvation results in "nutritional emphysema," and if so, by what mechanism and at what degree of malnutrition it develops. We also explore the growing concern for the risk of non-tuberculosis mycobacterium infection as well as risk for pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in patients with restrictive EDs. From the limited literature, it is clear the lungs, in fact, are not spared and that further research is needed to fully understand the full extent of pulmonary complications instigated by EDs.

Clinical features of adult patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder presenting for medical stabilization: A descriptive study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of adult patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) to better understand the medical findings, psychological comorbidities, and laboratory abnormalities in this population.

METHOD

We completed a retrospective chart review of all adult patients with a diagnosis of ARFID, admitted for medical stabilization, between April 2016 and June 2021, to an inpatient hospital unit, which specializes in severe eating disorders. Information collected included anthropomorphic data, laboratory assessments, and medical history at time of admission.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-two adult patients with ARFID were identified as meeting inclusion criteria for the study. The most common ARFID presentation was "fear of adverse consequences." The majority were female (70%), with an average age of 32.7 ± 13.7 years and mean percent of ideal body weight (m%IBW) of 68.2 ± 10.9. The most common laboratory abnormalities were low serum prealbumin and vitamin D, hypokalemia, leukopenia, and elevated serum bicarbonate. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were anxiety and depressive disorders, and the most common medical diagnoses were disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI).

DISCUSSION

This is the largest study to the authors' knowledge of medical presentations in adult patients with ARFID. Our results reflect that the adult patient with ARFID may, in some aspects, present differently than pediatric and adolescent patients with ARFID, or from ARFID patients requiring less intensive care. This study highlights the need for further investigation of adult patients with ARFID.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

ARFID is a restrictive eating disorder first defined in 2013. This study explores the medical presentations of adult patients (>18 years old) with ARFID presenting for specialized eating disorder treatment and identifies unique features of the adult presentation for treatment, compared to pediatric and adolescent peers.

Monitoring and treating hypoglycemia during meal-based rapid nutritional rehabilitation in patients with extreme anorexia nervosa

PURPOSE

Hypoglycemia, a complication of prolonged starvation, can be life-threatening and is presumed to contribute to the high mortality of anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, early refeeding in severe anorexia nervosa can precipitate paradoxical post-prandial hypoglycemia. Few studies have analyzed the course of hypoglycemia during nutritional rehabilitation in patients with extremely low-weight anorexia nervosa. No standard practice guidelines exist and recommended strategies for managing hypoglycemia (i.e., nasogastric feeds, high-fat diets) have limitations.

METHODS

This cohort study assessed prevalence and correlates of hypoglycemia in 34 individuals with very low body mass index (BMI < 14.5 kg/m²) anorexia nervosa treated in an intensive eating disorders program with an exclusively meal-based rapid weight gain nutritional protocol. Hypoglycemia was monitored with frequent point of care (POC) glucose testing and treated with oral snacks and continuous slow intravenous 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline (IV D5 1/2 NS) infusion.

RESULTS

POC hypoglycemia was detected in 50% of patients with highest prevalence noted on the day of admission. Hypoglycemia resolved during the first week of hospitalization in most cases and was generally asymptomatic. Seven patients (20.6%) experienced at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia with POC glucose < 50 mg/dl. Lower admission BMI was associated with higher likelihood of developing hypoglycemia and longer duration of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Meal-based management of hypoglycemia supplemented by continuous IV D5 1/2 NS appears a viable alternative to alternate strategies such as enteral tube feeding. We discuss recommendations for hypoglycemia monitoring during nutritional rehabilitation and directions for future research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Liver and vitamin B(12) parameters in patients with anorexia nervosa before and after short-term weight restoration

Hepatic involvement in anorexia nervosa (AN) has been previously reported, but a link to elevated vitamin B₁₂ concentrations, which can be a sign for liver damage, has not been thoroughly examined. We measured liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase) and vitamin B₁₂ parameters (total B₁₂, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid) in the plasma of young female patients with acute AN (n=77) and after short-term weight restoration (n=58, median body mass increase=25%), in comparison to healthy control participants (n=63). For a comprehensive assessment of vitamin B₁₂ status, the combined marker cB₁₂ was calculated. In acute AN, activities of alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase as well as holotranscobalamin concentrations were elevated, and alanine aminotransferase activities positively correlated with total B₁₂, holotranscobalamin and cB₁₂ in patients with elevated liver enzyme activities. After weight restoration, alanine aminotransferase activities and holotranscobalamin concentrations were elevated, and cB₁₂ increased above the level of the healthy control group. The present study provides further evidence for a hepatic involvement in acute AN in concert with vitamin B₁₂ parameters and points to refeeding-associated alterations of liver and vitamin B₁₂ parameters. Future studies should include non-invasive methods to characterize hepatic involvement and evaluate vitamin B₁₂ status as a potential marker of liver damage/irritation.

Restrictive type and infectious complications might predict nadir hematological values among individuals with anorexia nervosa during the refeeding period: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Although hematological abnormalities in patients with anorexia nervosa have been documented, the mechanisms involved have not been fully clarified, especially during the refeeding period when hematological values further decrease after admission prior to improving. Here we address potential mechanisms underlying the hematological abnormalities of inpatients with anorexia nervosa during the refeeding period.

METHODS

We recruited patients from 101 admissions corresponding to 55 individual patients with anorexia nervosa with severe malnutrition (body mass index, 13.4 ± 3.4) from the neuropsychiatry unit in Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital during the period from October 1999 to March 2018. We analyzed three hematological cell measures, i.e., hemoglobin, white cell count, and platelet count, to determine their levels at admission and their lowest levels during the refeeding period and calculated the percent decrease in those values from admission to the nadir levels. We analyzed each measure using a general mixed model with explanatory variables, including data upon admission and a treatment-related indicator, i.e., energy intake.

RESULTS

The initial hemoglobin value of 12.1 ± 2.7 g/dl decreased by 22.3% to 9.4 ± 2.5 g/dl; the initial white cell count was 5387 ± 3474/μl, which decreased by 33.6% to 3576 ± 1440/μl; the initial platelet count of 226 ± 101 × 10³/μl decreased by 24.3% to 171 ± 80 × 10³/μl. All nadir levels were observed during the refeeding period from the fifth to tenth day of hospitalization. Significant correlations among the three hematological cell measures, particularly at the nadir levels, were found. Of note, 41.7% of our patients who received red blood cell transfusion during hospitalization showed normal hemoglobin levels upon admission. The anorexia nervosa restrictive type was associated with a lower nadir level of white blood cell count. Infectious complications were related to a lower nadir level of hemoglobin and a greater percent decrease in hemoglobin level as well as to the need for red blood cell transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Nadir hematological cell measures of inpatients with anorexia nervosa might be predicted by the restrictive type and infectious complications. The anorexia nervosa restrictive type was associated with further decrease in hematological values during the refeeding period.

Anorexia nervosa: Outpatient treatment and medical management

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disabling, costly and potentially deadly illness. Treatment failure and relapse are common after completing treatment, and a substantial proportion of patients develop severe and enduring AN. The time from AN debut to the treatment initiation is normally unreasonably long. Over the past 20 years there has been empirical support for the efficacy of several treatments for AN. Moreover, outpatient treatment with family-based therapy or individual psychotherapy is associated with good outcomes for a substantial proportion of patients. Early intervention improves outcomes and should be a priority for all patients. Outpatient treatment is usually the best format for early intervention, and it has been demonstrated that even patients with severe or extreme AN can be treated as outpatients if they are medically stable. Inpatient care is more disruptive, more costly, and usually has a longer waiting list than does outpatient care. The decision as to whether to proceed with outpatient treatment or to transfer the patient for inpatient therapy may be difficult. The core aim of this opinion review is to provide the knowledge base needed for performing safe outpatient treatment of AN. The scientific essentials for outpatient treatment are described, including how to assess and manage the medical risks of AN and how to decide when transition to inpatient care is indicated. The following aspects are discussed: early intervention, outpatient treatment of AN, including outpatient psychotherapy for severe and extreme AN, how to determine when outpatient treatment is safe, and when transfer to inpatient healthcare is indicated. Emerging treatments, ethical issues and outstanding research questions are also addressed.

To Improve the Initial Inpatient Management of Adolescents Admitted with Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review and a Convenient Protocol

Inadequate nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) increases the risk of medical complications. There is no consensus on best practices for inpatient nutritional rehabilitation and medical stabilization for severe AN. This study aimed to elaborate an admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN based on a comprehensive narrative review of current evidence. A Pubmed search was conducted in July 2017 and updated in August 2020, using the keywords severe AN or eating disorders (ED), management guidelines and adolescent. Relevant references cited in these guidelines were retrieved. A secondary search was conducted using AN or ED and refeeding protocol, refeeding syndrome (RS), hypophosphatemia, hypoglycemia, cardiac monitoring or cardiac complications. Evidence obtained was used to develop the admission protocol. Selective blood tests were proposed during the first three days of nutritional rehabilitation. Higher initial caloric intake is supported by evidence. Continuous nasogastric tube feeding was proposed for patients with a BMI < 12 kg/m2. We monitor hypoglycemia for 72 h. Continuous cardiac monitoring for bradycardia <30 BPM and systematic phosphate supplementation should be considered. Developing protocols is necessary to improve standardization of care. We provide an example of an inpatient admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN.

Reproducible changes in the anorexia nervosa gut microbiota following inpatient therapy remain distinct from non-eating disorder controls

The composition of the gut microbiota in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), and the ability of this microbial community to influence the host, remains uncertain. To achieve a broader understanding of the role of the intestinal microbiota in patients with AN, we collected fecal samples before and following clinical treatment at two geographically distinct eating disorder units (Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders [UNC-CH] and ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders [Denver Health]). Gut microbiotas were characterized in patients with AN, before and after inpatient treatment, and in non-eating disorder (non-ED) controls using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The impact of inpatient treatment on the AN gut microbiota was remarkably consistent between eating disorder units. Although weight in patients with AN showed improvements, AN microbiotas post-treatment remained distinct from non-ED controls. Additionally, AN gut microbiotas prior to treatment exhibited more fermentation pathways and a lower ability to degrade carbohydrates than non-ED controls. As the intestinal microbiota can influence nutrient metabolism, our data highlight the complex microbial communities in patients with AN as an element needing further attention post inpatient treatment. Additionally, this study defines the effects of renourishment on the AN gut microbiota and serves as a platform to develop precision nutrition approaches to potentially mitigate impediments to recovery.

Deranged Liver Function Tests and Liver Insults in Malnourished Patients: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder often accompanied by complicated medical conditions. It often results in increased serum levels of liver enzymes, especially transaminases, and affects both males and females. Here, we describe the cases of two patients admitted to our District General Hospital. The patients presented with malnourishment secondary to AN and severely deranged liver function tests. According to our literature review, patients who are malnourished are particularly susceptible to liver injury, and small insults can amount to exaggerated liver inflammation with transaminitis. Once other aetiologies are excluded, this can be interpreted as a benign clinical event and is not associated with adverse events or higher mortality.

Reframing anorexia nervosa as a metabo-psychiatric disorder

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and often fatal illness. Despite decades of research, investigators have failed to adequately advance our understanding of the biological aspects of AN that could inform the development of effective interventions. Genome-wide association studies are revealing the important role of metabolic factors in AN, and studies of the gastrointestinal tract are shedding light on disruptions in enteric microbial communities and anomalies in gut morphology. In this opinion piece, we review the state of the science through the lens of the clinical presentation of illness. We project how the integration of rigorous science in genomics and microbiology, in collaboration with experienced clinicians, has the potential to markedly enhance treatment outcome via precision interventions.

A Comprehensive Review of Complications and New Findings Associated with Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and deadly psychiatric disorder. It is characterized by a significant degree of both co-occurring psychiatric diseases and widespread physiological changes which affect nearly every organ system. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the varied consequences of this disorder. Given the high rate of mortality due to AN, there is a need for early recognition so that patients can be referred for appropriate medical and psychiatric care early in the course of the disorder. In this study, we present a comprehensive review of the recent literature describing medical findings commonly encountered in patients with AN. The varied and overlapping complications of AN affect pregnancy, psychological well-being, as well as bone, endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems.

Anorexia nervosa: COVID-19 pandemic period (Review)

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating and an intense fear of gaining weight. It is a disease with an increasing incidence during the last few decades, and represents a complex psychiatric condition which includes secondary amenorrhea, nutritional and metabolic damage, and impaired endocrine panel up to bone loss as well as cardiac, gastrointestinal and hematological complications. This is a narrative review which includes an update on this eating disorder from the perspective of an endocrine panel of anomalies, especially of the skeleton, considering the pressure of the recent global COVID-19 pandemic changes. Practically affecting every organ, anorexia nervosa needs to be taken into consideration during the pandemic period because of the higher risk of relapse due to new living conditions, social distancing, self-isolation, changes in food access, more intense use of social media platforms, disruption of daily habits, and more difficult access to healthcare practitioners. The lack of physical activity in addition to vitamin D deficiency related to low sun exposure or to the use of facial masks may also be connected to further bone damage related to this disease.

Explanatory Factors for Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Anorexia Nervosa

A better understanding of explanatory factors for disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in anorexia nervosa (AN) could help direct treatment providers to aspects of the most relevance for patient wellbeing and recovery. We aimed to investigate whether factors associated with HRQoL are the same for women with AN and normal-weight controls. The participants in this study were women with AN recruited from specialized eating disorder centers in Denmark and healthy, normal-weight controls invited via online social media. Participants completed online questionnaires on medical history, disease-specific HRQoL (Eating Disorders Quality of Life Scale, EDQLS) and generic HRQoL (SF-36), eating disorder symptomatology, depression, psychological wellbeing, and work and social adjustment. Questionnaires were fully completed by 211 women with AN (median age 21.7 years) and 199 controls (median age 23.9 years). Women with AN had poorer scores on all measures, i.e., worse HRQoL, psychological health, and work/social functioning. Eating disorder symptomatology affected EDQLS score in both groups, but poorer HRQoL in women with AN was also significantly associated with worse scores on bulimia, maturity fears, depression, vitality, and with older age. The factors investigated together explained 79% of the variance in EDQLS score. Management of disordered self-assessment and thought processes may be of particular importance to women with AN. Greater emphasis on these aspects alongside weight gain could enhance patient-clinician alliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes.

Autonomic Nervous System Response to Psychosocial Stress in Anorexia Nervosa: A Cross-Sectional and Controlled Study

To foster understanding in the psychopathology of patients with anorexia nervosa (P_AN) at the psychological and physiological level, standardized experimental studies on reliable biomarkers are needed, especially due to the lack of disorder-specific samples. To this end, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to a psychosocial stressor was investigated in n = 19 P_AN (BMI: 18.7 ± 3.3 kg/m²), age, and gender-matched to n = 19 healthy controls (HC; BMI: 24.23 ± 3.0 kg/m²). For this purpose, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were assessed in a cross-sectional study design under two experimental conditions: (1) rest and (2) stress (Trier Social Stress Test). In addition, psychological indicators of stress were assessed. An 2 × 2 × 8 ANOVA demonstrated similar HR and HRV patterns (except LF-HRV) between P_AN and HC at rest. Under stress, P_AN (vs. HC) demonstrated a blunted HR [condition^*time^*group: F_{(2.91, 104.98)} = 9.326, p = 0.000, η² = 0.206] and an attenuated HRV response (reduced SNS/PNS reactivity). Significant effects of stress appraisal (SA) and BMI on HRV-reactivity were revealed. SA on SDNN = Condition^*time^*SA = F_{(4.12, 140.15)} = 2.676, p = 0.033, η² = 0.073. BMI on LF/HF-Ratio = Condition^*time^*BMI = F_{(3.53, 60.16)} = 3.339, p = 0.019, η² = 0.164. Psychological indices suggested higher levels of chronic and appraised stress in P_AN relative to HC. Additional analyses demonstrated that ED-symptoms are highly correlated with the latter constructs, as well as with psychological burden, but not with weight. Further, it was shown that abnormalities in reactivity persisted despite normalized ANS activity. Overall, we suggested that besides weight recovery, improvement in stress appraisal could be beneficial for cardiac health. In this light, a combination of therapy (e.g., development and activation of coping skills, cognitive reappraisal) and biofeedback training may improve treatment outcomes and regulate stress reactivity.