Anorexia Nervosa

Original Editors - Brittney Kerchief from Bellarmine University's  Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems project.

Top Contributors - Brittney Kerchief, Lucinda hampton, Admin, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Laura Ritchie, Kim Jackson, Tony Lowe, Elaine Lonnemann, Wendy Walker, George Prudden, WikiSysop and Vidya Acharya  

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight. Patients will have an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image with the inability to recognize the seriousness of their significantly low body weight.

The long‐term prognosis is often poor, with severe developmental, medical and psychosocial complications, high rates of relapse and mortality.

Epidemiology

The lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa is 0.66-1.9% based on geographical location, with a higher prevalence in developed countries.

Females are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa compared to men.

The lifetime incidence of anorexia nervosa has increased from 0.1 to 5.4 per 100,000 over the last fifty years. In females aged 15-19 years, the incidence has increased from 56.4 to 109 per 100,000 person-years.

Pathophysiology

Studies demonstrate biologic factors play a role in the development  of anorexia nervosa in addition to environmental factors. Genetic correlations exist between educational attainment, neuroticism, and schizophrenia. Patients with anorexia nervosa have altered brain function and structure there are deficits in neurotransmitters dopamine (eating behavior and reward) and serotonin (impulse control and neuroticism), differential activation of the corticolimbic system (appetite and fear), and diminished activity among the frontostriatal circuits (habitual behaviors). Patients have co-morbid psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

The elements that contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa are complex, and involve a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Any person, at any stage of their life, is at risk of developing an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a mental illness, not a choice that someone has made.

Clinical Presentation

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) recognises the following criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

• a restriction of caloric intake
• low body weight relative to age, sex and health
• unjustified fear of weight gain
• body dysmorphia

Along with these, numerous signs may be observed and they include - but are not limited to - the following:

• lanugo hair and/or alopecia
• amenorrhoea (from suppression of the gonadal axis)
• dental caries (from purging)
• orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia
• resting bradycardia
• halitosis
• lagophthalmos
• purpurae

Two sub-types of anorexia nervosa have been recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  These sub-types include:

• Restricting subtype is characterized by an individual with anorexia nervosa who has not regularly taken part in bingeing or purging behaviors during the current episode. 
• Bingeing and purging behaviors include the use of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and self-induced vomiting to restrict weight gain.  Binge-eating-purging subtype is characterized by an individual who has regularly taken part in binge-eating or purging behaviors in the current episode of anorexia nervosa. 

Associated Co-morbidities

Death is the most devastating co-morbidity present with this eating disorder and most commonly occurs due to symptoms of starvation or suicide.  Medical conditions typically causing death consist of abnormal heart rhythms and imbalances of electrolytes.  Mortality rates are as high as 5.9% in anorexia nervosa diagnoses.

• Co-morbid conditions present in individuals with anorexia nervosa may also include "major depressive disorder (50-75% of cases), sexual abuse (20-50% of cases), obsessive compulsive disorder (25% of cases), substance abuse (12-18% of cases), and bipolar disorder (4-13% of cases)".
  
• Anemia, mitral valve prolapse, osteoporosis, and stress fractures are examples of co-morbidities that may be present with any eating disorders.  Many individuals with anorexia nervosa often develop other types of eating disorders as well.  Up to 50% of individuals with anorexia nervosa develop characteristics of bulimia nervosa over the span of their lifetime.

Treatment

Treatment for anorexia nervosa is centered on nutrition rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Patients who need inpatient treatment have the following characteristics:

• Existing psychiatric disorders requiring hospitalization
• High risk for suicide (intent with highly lethal plan or failed attempt)
• Lack of support system (severe family conflict or homelessness)
• Limited access (lives too far away to participate in a daily treatment program)
• Medically unstable (bradycardia, dehydration, hypoglycemia or poorly controlled diabetes, hypokalemia or other electrolyte imbalances indicative of refeeding syndrome, hypothermia, hypotension,, organ compromise requiring acute treatment)
• Poorly motivated to recover (uncooperative, preoccupied with intrusive thoughts)
• Purging behaviors that are persistent, severe, and occur multiple times a day
• Severe anorexia nervosa (less than 70% of ideal body weight or acute weight loss with food refusal)
• Supervised feeding and/or specialized feeding (nasogastric tube) required
• Unable to stop compulsively exercising (not a sole indication for hospitalization).

Outpatient treatment includes intensive therapy (2 to 3 hours per weekday) and partial hospitalization (6 hours per day). Pediatric patients benefit from family-based psychotherapy to explore underlying dynamics and restructure the home environment.

Refeeding syndrome can occur following prolonged starvation. As the body utilizes glucose to produce molecules of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), it depletes the remaining stores of phosphor.

Also, glucose entry into cells is mediated by insulin and occurs rapidly following long periods without food. Both cause electrolyte abnormalities such as hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, triggering cardiac and respiratory compromise. Patients should be followed carefully for signs of refeeding syndrome and electrolytes closely monitored.

Pharmacotherapy is not used initially. For acutely ill patients who do not respond to initial treatment, olanzapine is a first-line medication. Other antipsychotics have not demonstrated similar effects on weight gain. For patients who are not acutely ill but have co-morbid psychiatric conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, combination therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and therapy is best. Patients who do not respond to SSRIs may need a second-generation antipsychotic. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are less-preferred due to concerns about cardiotoxicity, especially in malnourished patients. Bupropion is contraindicated in patients with eating disorders due to the increased risk of seizures

Nutritional therapy guidelines include weight gain of .9 - 1.4 kg per week for inpatient treatment and .22 - .45 kg per week for outpatient treatment.  Initially daily caloric goals should reach 1000-1600 kcal in divided meals and bathroom use should be restricted for two hours following each meal.  Once a healthy weight is maintained stretching can be reintroduced followed by aerobic exercise with supervision and counselling on proper exercise guidelines.

Recovery

It is possible to recover from anorexia nervosa, even if a person has been living with the illness for many years. The path to recovery can be long and challenging, however, with the right team and support, recovery is possible. Some people may find that recovery brings new under standing, insights and skills.

Medication

Medication can be used to manage various aspects of the complications that come with Anorexia Nervosa. Medications can be used to help with psychological symptoms, some medical aspects of the disorder, as well as behavioral symptoms.

Common Types of Medications

As with any medication, it is important to be aware of the medical complications and how specific drugs will influence other concerns. When addressing anorexia with medication, anorexia is complicated due to the medical issues that come with malnutrition. Psychologically, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications can help with underlying mental health issues.

Prozac can help with depressive symptoms and potentially with healthy weight maintenance once weight restoration is achieved. Prozac is part of the SSRI family, or the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors. SSRIs assist with increased serotonin levels, that is connected to mood. Zyprexa can also be used to assist with weight gain and obsessive thinking in patients.

This is typically used for schizophrenia and is an antipsychotic drug, but has been found to help with the anorexia patient. Zoloft, and Paxil, another SSRI is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic.

Physical Therapy Management

Physical Therapy is an integral part in rehabilitation of patients with anorexia nervosa once stretching and exercise is reintroduced.  A health care provider who has extensive knowledge of proper exercise guidelines and how to monitor physical signs of fatigue and vitals is needed to treat these patients.  These skills are important to help the patient learn to monitor levels of fatigue and heart rate in order to prevent them from over exercising or exercising to the point of exhaustion.  Patients with anorexia nervosa are also more susceptible to orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, and muscle cramping due to malnutrition and low level caloric diets. A health care provider, such as a physical therapist, is the best trained professional to monitor and respond to these medical conditions. 

A physical therapist can also be beneficial during the screening process because they are educated in their professional programs on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this disorder. A therapist may be the first provider to notice signs and symptoms present with this disorder.  For example, during a cervical exam the therapist may note edema in the face or salivary glands or overuse injuries like stress fractures from excessively exercising. 

When creating exercise programs for these individuals, physical therapists must take into account bone density levels, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac status, and lab values.  The program must be adjusted in order to protect the individual from physical harm or becoming medically unstable.  Exercise is not recommended if the patients body mass index is less than 18 kg/m², and therefore is not introduced until the individual can maintain a healthy weight and is medically stable.   The ideal exercise program should include elements of stretching, light upper body weights, breathing exercises, and aerobic exercise.  It is very important for the physical therapist to set upper limits on repetitions, sets, or minutes in order to prevent the individual from over exercising.  Encouraging the individual to focus on the positive effects of exercise on overall health and not weight is equally important for the physical therapist. 

Differential Diagnosis

Eating Disorders:

• Bulimia Nervosa
• Food Avoidance Emotional Disorder
• Pervasive Refusal Syndrome
• Functional Dysphagia

Medical Illnesses:

• Brain tumors or malignancies
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Psychiatric Disorders:

• Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Somatization Disorder

Case Reports

• Strategies used by physical therapists in the U.S. for treatment and prevention of the female athlete triad.
• Prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad Syndrome Among High School Athletes
• Mitsuaki Tokumura, Shigeki Yoshiba, Tetsuya Tanaka, Seiichiro Nanri, Hisako Watanabe. Prescribed exercise training improves exercise capacity of convalescent children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. European Journal of Pediatrics [serial online]. 2003;162:430-1. Available from: ProQuest Health and Medical Complete. Accessed April 8, 2010, Document ID: 1322842551.
• The female athlete triad: an emerging role for physical therapy
• Severe Anorexia Nervosa, Co-occurring Major Depressive Disorder and Electroconvulsive Therapy as Maintenance Treatment: A Case Report
• Unique challenges for appropriate management of a 16-year-old girl with superior mesenteric artery syndrome as a result of anorexia nervosa: a case report
• Family-Based Treatment of a 17-Year-Old Twin Presenting with Emerging Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Study Using the “Maudsley Method”

Resources

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
• The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
• Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA)
• Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center