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Evidence for long‐term pancreatic damage caused by laxative abuse in subjects recovered from anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Brown Nigel W.,
Treasure Janet L.,
Campbell Iain C.
Publication year - 2001
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(200103)29:2<236::aid-eat1014>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - laxative , anorexia nervosa , medicine , insulin , endocrinology , meal , psychology , diabetes mellitus , gastroenterology , psychiatry , eating disorders , constipation
Objective This study examined whether a prior history of laxative abuse results in long‐term changes in gastrointestinal function. Method The functioning of the enteroinsular axis was examined by measuring the insulin response to a standard meal. The study involved 18 subjects who had fully recovered from anorexia nervosa (AN) and an age and weight‐matched control group. In the recovered group, 10 of 18 subjects had a history of laxative abuse. Results Subjects with a prior history of laxative abuse show a more gradual increase and decrease in insulin secretion, but no differences in glucose response or hunger ratings. Discussion Because there are no differences in the glucose response to the meal, it is hypothesized that the difference in insulin response is due to changes in the enteroinsular axis. These data indicate that chronic laxative abuse induces long‐term changes in gastrointestinal function. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 236–238, 2001.