Can steroid use be a precipitant in the development of an eating disorder?
OBJECTIVE
Corticosteroids have a wide range of clinical indications in the treatment of both acute and chronic medical illnesses, and weight gain is a well-documented side effect of their use. In this paper, we describe eight individuals with an eating disorder, which appeared following steroid administration for a medical condition.


METHODS
These findings, support the possibility that the excessive weight gain resulting from steroid use can be a precipitating factor in the development of an eating disorder, particularly among female adolescents and young women who are preoccupied with their appearance and weight.


RESULTS
Physicians caring for women receiving corticosteroids should therefore familiarize themselves with these patients' pre-morbid and current eating habits, as well as their weight, dieting and body image histories.


CONCLUSIONS
The relevance of these cases for furthering our understanding of the development and treatment of eating disorder is also discussed.
Fornari
V
V
Department of Psychiatry, North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. vfornari@nshs.edu
Dancyger
I
I
La Monaca
G
G
Budman
C
C
Goodman
B
B
Kabo
L
L
Katz
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002908:Chronic Disease; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones