Anorexia Nervosa

Descriptive text is not available for this image BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • An eating disorder characterized by the restriction of food intake leading to significantly low weight with intense fear of weight gain and distorted perception of body weight and shape
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) divides anorexia into two types:
    • Restricting type: characterized by restricting intake of calories or extreme amounts of exercise without binge-eating and purging behaviors within the last 3 months
    • Binge-eating/purging type: regular engagement in binge intake or purging behaviors (self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas) within the past 3 months
  • System(s) affected: nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, reproductive, ophthalmic, taste, and dermatologic
  • Severity of anorexia nervosa (AN) is based on BMI; severe is <16 kg/m2.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Prevalence

  • Estimated lifetime prevalence among U.S. adults of 0.8%
  • Median age of onset age: 17 years
  • Predominant sex: female > male (10:1 to 20:1 female-to-male ratio)

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

  • Complex relationships among genetic, biologic, environmental, psychological, and social factors that result in the development of this disorder.
  • Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine neuronal systems are implicated.

Genetics

  • Aggregates in families—11-fold risk amongst female relatives of a proband with the disorder
  • Evidence of high concordance rates in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins
  • GWAS study showing 8 loci exceeding genome wide significance on chromosomes 1, 3, 10, and 11.

RISK FACTORS

  • Body dissatisfaction, negative self-evaluation
  • Perfectionism, high parental demands, academic pressure, severe life stressors
  • Personal history of other psychiatric disorders—including anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder
  • History of sexual or physical abuse or parental maltreatment
  • Participation in sports or activities that emphasize leanness: ballet, figure skating, gymnastics, cheerleading
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Family history of substance abuse, affective disorders, or eating disorders

GENERAL PREVENTION

Prevention programs for adolescents and young women ≥15 years of age can reduce risk factors and future onset of eating disorders.

  • Encourage realistic and healthy weight management strategies and attitudes.
  • Promote self-esteem; reduce focus on thin as ideal.
  • Decrease co-occurring anxiety/depressive symptoms and improve stress management.

COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

  • Suicide, mood and anxiety disorders
  • Substance use disorder
  • Cluster C personality disorder

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