Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T10:07:09.215Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Physical Illness

A Risk Factor in Anorexia Nervosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

E. Johnson-Sabine
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital

Abstract

Reports have appeared in the literature suggesting an association between physical illness and the later development of anorexia nervosa. The histories of 326 patients with anorexia nervosa were examined for physical illness. A higher rate of severe physical illness was found in this group when compared with controls suggesting that it should be regarded as a risk factor for anorexia nervosa. No statistically significant differences were found when illness was examined by time in relation to onset of anorexia, system involved, or when subjects were stratified by age. Possible explanations for the observed association are discussed.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beaumont, P. J. V., Abraham, S. F., Argall, W. S., George, G. C. W. & Glaun, D. E.(1978) The onset of anorexia nervosa. Australian A. New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 12, 145149.Google Scholar
Dally, (1969) Anorexia Nervosa. London: Heinemann.Google Scholar
Damlouji, N. F. & Ferguson, M. D.(1985) Three cases of posttraumatic anorexia nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 362363.Google ScholarPubMed
Fairbairn, C. G. & Steele, J. M.(1980) Anorexia nervosa in diabetes mellitus British Medical Journal, 2, 11671168.Google Scholar
Fitzpatrick, J. E., McDermott, M., May, D. & Hofeldt, F. D.(1983) Eruptive Neurofibromatosis associated with anorexia nervosa. Archives of Dermatology, 119, 10191021.Google Scholar
Halmi, K. A. & Rigas, C.(1973) Urogenital abnormalities associated with anorexia nervosa. British Journal of Psychiatry, 122, 7981.Google Scholar
Halmi, K. A. & Rigas, C., Goldberg, S. C., Eckert, E., Casper, R. & Davis, M.(1977) Pretreatment evaluation in anorexia nervosa. In Anorexia Nervosa, (ed. R. Vigersky). New York: Raven Press.Google Scholar
Kalucy, A. S., Crisp, A. H. & Harding, B.(1977) A study of 56 families with anorexia nervosa. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 34, 332395.Google Scholar
Kron, L., Katz, H. L., Gorninsky, G. & Weiner, H.(1977) Anorexia nervosa and gonadal dysgenesis. Archives of General Psychiatry, 34, 332335.Google Scholar
Minuchin, S., Rosman, B. L. & Baker, L.(1978) Psychosomatic Families: Anorexia Nervosa in Context. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Pitts, F. N. & Guze, A. B.(1963) Anorexia nervosa and gonadal dysgenesis (Turner's Syndrome). American Journal of Psychiatry, 119, 11001102.Google Scholar
Russell, G. F. M.(1970) Anorexia nervosa: its identity as an illness and its treatment. In Modem Trends in Psychological Medicine, Vol. 2, (ed. J. Harding-Price). London: Butterworth.Google Scholar
Ryle, J. A.(1936) Anorexia nervosa. Lancet, 2, 893899.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Szmukler, G. J. & Russell, G. F. M.(1983) Diabetes mellitus, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 305308.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.