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Anorexia Nervosa
- ARTHUR D. SCHWABE, M.D.;
- BARBARA M. LIPPE, M.D.;
- R. JEFFREY CHANG, M.D.;
- MARTIN A. POPS, M.D.; and
- JOEL YAGER, M.D.
Abstract
The clinical and physiologic features of anorexia nervosa seem to be consequences of a complex interaction among psychologic abnormalities, endocrine disturbances, and malnutrition. Although a spectrum of psychologic disorders has been observed, distortion of body image, weight phobia, disordered perception of hunger and satiety, and a sense of ineffectiveness are encountered most frequently. The impaired secretion of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor, release of gonadotropins, and production of estrogens reflect a defect in the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-gonadal axis. Because most of the endocrine abnormalities are reversible with improved nutrition, they are probably secondary to malnutrition rather than to hypothalamic dysfunction. Hypercarotenemia observed in 16 of 21 patients studied recently seems useful in differentiating anorexia nervosa from other forms of malnutrition and weight loss. A combined medical and psychiatric approach has been successful in drastically reducing the mortality of this disorder.
Article and Author Information
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▸ An edited transcription of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, California.
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▸ Authors who wish to cite a section of this conference and specifically indicate its author can use this example of the form of reference:
LIPPE BM. Clinical features of anorexia nervosa, pp. 371-7, In: SCHWABE AD, moderator. Anorexia nervosa. Ann Intern Med. 1981;94:371-81.
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▸ Requests for reprints should be addressed to Arthur D. Schwabe, M.D.; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, CA 90024.
- © 1981 American College of Physicians
