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Metabolic acidosis as a marker for laxative abuse in patients with bulimia
Author(s) -
Mitchell James E.,
Hatsukami Dorothy,
Pyle Richard L.,
Eckert Elke D.,
Boutacoff Lana I.
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<557::aid-eat2260060413>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - metabolic acidosis , laxative , diarrhea , metabolic disorder , medicine , acidosis , bicarbonate , psychiatry , psychology , gastroenterology , constipation
Patients with bulimia who abuse laxatives as a manifestation of their eating disorder may demonstrate a low serum bicarbonate on routine laboratory screening, suggesting diarrhea‐induced metabolic acidosis. The utility of this finding as a diagnostic marker is discussed.