title: Bulimia nervosa presenting as rectal purging and rectal prolapse: case report and literature review.
abstract: Rectal prolapse, but not rectal purging (excessive finger evacuation to induce defecation), has been formally associated with eating disorders in the medical literature. We describe a young woman with bulimia nervosa and irritable bowel syndrome who used rectal purging as a method of counteracting the effects of her binge eating and who underwent two corrective surgeries for rectal prolapse in a 15-month interval. Further research into the relationship between eating disorders, rectal purging, and gastrointestinal dysfunction is called for.
authors: Lindner Center of HOPE, Mason, Ohio 45040, USA. anna.guerdjikova@lindnercenter.org
authors: Anna I
authors: AI
authors: Guerdjikova
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: O'Melia
authors: Kris
authors: K
authors: Riffe
authors: Todd
authors: T
authors: Palumbo
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: McElroy
mesh_terms: D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult