Nutritional status changes in eating disorder patients: 30 years’ experience in a University Hospital
Keywords:
Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Hospitalization, Eating disordersAbstract
Objective
To describe the changes in the nutritional status and biochemical parameters of patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa during inpatient treatment at a specialized service.
Methods
We reviewed the medical records of all patients followed by the service from 1982 to 2011 who had been hospitalized for treatment. Sociodemographic data, weight, height, and biochemical tests were collected at hospital admission and discharge.
Results
During the period, 83 patients diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia nervosa had been hospitalized for treatment. Most were female (95.2%), white (94.0%), single (76.0%), and childless (78.3%). The predominant diagnosis was anorexia nervosa (85.5%), especially the restrictive type (54.2%). The body mass index of adult patients (n=41) increased from 16.53±4.9 to 17.47±4.3kg/m2
(p<0.05), and of children and adolescents (n=38), from 13.78±2.57 to 15.11±2.99kg/m2 (p<0.05). The mean values of most biochemical parameters were within the normal limits, and only the mean beta-carotene levels were elevated at admission and discharge. Albumin, hematocrit, high-density lipoprotein, and potassium levels were higher at discharge (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Despite the difficulties and complexities inherent to the treatment of eating disorders, especially patients’ resistance to weight recovery, inpatient treatment can improve nutritional status and normalize several biochemical parameters.
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