Vol 78, No 12 (2007)
ARTICLES
How to treat anorexia nervosa? – case report
Alina Warenik-Szymankiewicz, Błażej Męczekalski, Agnieszka Podfigurna-Stopa
Vol 78, No 12 (2007)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with obsessive fear of gaining weight. It is a complex condition involving psychological, neuroendocrine, hormonal and metabolic components. The following is a case report of a young patient diagnosed as anorexia nervosa and primary amenorrhea, without the development of secondary female characteristics. Hormonal examination confirmed hypothalamic origin of the described disorders. There was an important impairment in the mood sphere (Beck's Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) of this young woman. Densitometry of lumbar spine revealed significant bone loss (diagnozed as osteoporosis) in this patient. All of the abovementioned examinations were repeated after one and a half years of hormonal treatment (estrogen-progestins). A return of normal menstrual cycle (with ovulation function) and normal hormonal profile have been observed. After one and a half years of treatment the patient had regular feeding patterns and none of the anorexia nervosa symptons have been found. A significant improvement in Beck's Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was found after one and a half years of hormonal treatment. The patient was also characterized by important increase of bone mass density – osteopenia was described by the densitometry of the lumbar spine.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with obsessive fear of gaining weight. It is a complex condition involving psychological, neuroendocrine, hormonal and metabolic components. The following is a case report of a young patient diagnosed as anorexia nervosa and primary amenorrhea, without the development of secondary female characteristics. Hormonal examination confirmed hypothalamic origin of the described disorders. There was an important impairment in the mood sphere (Beck's Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) of this young woman. Densitometry of lumbar spine revealed significant bone loss (diagnozed as osteoporosis) in this patient. All of the abovementioned examinations were repeated after one and a half years of hormonal treatment (estrogen-progestins). A return of normal menstrual cycle (with ovulation function) and normal hormonal profile have been observed. After one and a half years of treatment the patient had regular feeding patterns and none of the anorexia nervosa symptons have been found. A significant improvement in Beck's Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was found after one and a half years of hormonal treatment. The patient was also characterized by important increase of bone mass density – osteopenia was described by the densitometry of the lumbar spine.
Keywords
primary amenorrhea, anorexia nervosa, bone mass density
Title
How to treat anorexia nervosa? – case report
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 78, No 12 (2007)
Page views
491
Article views/downloads
598
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2007;78(12).
Keywords
primary amenorrhea
anorexia nervosa
bone mass density
Authors
Alina Warenik-Szymankiewicz
Błażej Męczekalski
Agnieszka Podfigurna-Stopa