title: [Anorexia nervosa. A catamnestic analysis].
abstract: Over a period of 10 years 25 patients, 24 of them females, with anorexia nervosa were observed. The disease is characterized by marked loss of weight, amenorrhoea, low blood pressure and early-onset behavioural disorders towards members of the family and friends. Anaemia, peripheral oedema and pronounced muscular weakness due to electrolyte imbalance may be observed in advanced cases. The disease commences in puberty by more or less obvious loss of weight following reduced food intake, rarely it is caused by vomiting and laxative abuse. Patients tend to deny connections between reduced food intake and loss of weight. There is no standardized treatment. Therapy should be initiated by the psychiatrist. In severe cases parenteral nutrition and intensive care may be required. This is particularly true in complicated cases such as occurrence of infection, serious electrolyte disorders or coagulation defects. The earlier a diagnosis is made the better the prognosis. Manifest disease of more than 5 years' duration decreases the chances for cure considerably.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001519:Behavior; D001835:Body Weight; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics
vernacular_title: Anorexia nervosa. Eine katamnestische Analyse.