Severe eating disorder initially diagnosed in a 72-year-old man.
OBJECTIVE
Eating disorders in our society mainly affect young women. Cases in males are far less common, and reported cases in elderly males are rare.


METHODS
We report the case of 72-year- old male admitted to a geriatric psychiatry service for grave passive neglect with mild dementia thought to be due to nutritional deficiency.


RESULTS
The patient was found to have an eating disorder not otherwise specified, most closely resembling anorexia nervosa, which was believed to be the cause of the nutritional problem.


CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the need for diagnostic awareness regarding eating disorders in patients of all ages and of both genders.
Manejías Parke
Susan G
SG
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA. suman9280@aol.com
Yager
Joel
J
Apfeldorf
William
W
D000368:Aged; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index