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The fatal outcome of an individual with anorexia nervosa and Sheehan's syndrome as a result of acute enterocolitis: A case report
Author(s) -
Köpp Werner,
Rost Felicitas,
Kiesewetter Sybille,
Deter HansChristian
Publication year - 2010
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/eat.20652
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , medicine , pediatrics , sheehan's syndrome , exacerbation , psychosocial , eating disorders , pituitary disorder , psychiatry , hypopituitarism , hormone
Objectives: To illustrate the close association between a disturbed psychosocial up‐bringing, frequent physical illness, and medical interventions. Method: We report a case of a 44‐year‐old woman with anorexia nervosa (AN) and Sheehan's syndrome who died as a result of a toxic cardiac arrest. Results: The patient presented with a BMI of 13.6 kg/m 2 . She refused any intensive‐care treatment and died from toxic cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination revealed an acute gastroenterocolitis. Discussion: The history of this patient illustrates how psychological deprivation led to eating disturbances, early pregnancy, and the life‐threatening delivery of twins. This resulted in a diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome, hepatitis C, and a ventricular ulcer. A psychosocial event triggered a late exacerbation of her AN. A helpful alliance between patient and staff did not occur as she rejected it. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010.