Post by Mel on Feb 9, 2006 8:16:24 GMT -5
Eating Disorders and Fractures
Broken bones may be a tip-off that a patient has anorexia or bulimia
by Jan Eickmeier
A Danish study found that all eating disorders were associated with an increased risk of fractures.
Researchers investigated fracture risk among 4,385 patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Fracture risk was elevated for 10 years after diagnosis of anorexia. In patients with bulimia, fracture risk was increased for up to 10 years before diagnosis but returned to normal within a year of diagnosis. In patients with EDNOS, the risk of fracture was increased before and after diagnosis.
A comment on the article states that when physicians see fractures in young women they should consider the possibility of eating disorders. Women with eating disorders should take 1,200 to 1,500 mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D each day. DEXA scans and estrogen may also be helpful.
The study appeared in the International Journal of Eating Disorders (Nov 2002).