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Hyperamylasemia and bulimia: A clinical review
Author(s) -
Kaplan Allan S.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(198707)6:4<537::aid-eat2260060410>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - hyperamylasemia , medical prescription , pancreatitis , medicine , weight loss , abdominal pain , physical examination , body weight , psychiatry , amylase , nursing , obesity , biochemistry , chemistry , enzyme
Hyperamylasemia, often with abdominal symptoms, commonly occurs in patients with bulimia as well as in pancreatitis. Eleven bulimic patients presenting with hyperamylasemia are described; one case is described in detail. Of the 11, the source of amylase in 10 was salivary, not pancreatic. A careful history with questions about weight changes, eating behavior, body image, methods of weight control and purging, as well as a complete mental status examination should be done on females presenting with the above symptoms. Doing this will prevent unncessary procedures, drug prescription, hospitalizations, and latrogenic illness.