title: Rhabdomyolysis and drug abuse in a patient with bulimia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa, have long been associated with alcohol and illicit drug abuse. Impulsivity has been linked to substance abuse, but there are other explanations for this association. This comorbidity could be very harmful, even deadly, because of the medical consequences of drug abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reports on the case of a 23-year-old woman with bulimia nervosa, severe alcohol and illicit drug abuse, and impulsive behavior who developed rhabdomyolysis. One of the reasons for her drug addiction was the effect of these substances in appetite suppression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient successfully recovered after medical and psychological treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article presents the case of a patient with bulimia nervosa and a serious medical complication of illicit drug abuse. It is important to be aware of the increased risk of morbidity and mortality for this patient group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. casti_gg@yahoo.com
authors.forename: María del Castañar
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: García-Gómez
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ordóñez González
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez del Barrio
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arrechea García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants