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Prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in 200 patients with eating disorders
Author(s) -
Glorio Roberto,
Allevato Miguel,
De Pablo Ana,
Abbruzzese Mario,
Carmona Luz,
Savarin Mario,
Ibarra Monica,
Busso Corina,
Mordoh Ana,
Llopis Carolina,
Haas Roxana,
Bello Mabel,
Woscoff Alberto
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00924.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , eating disorders , medline , psychiatry , political science , law
Background Eating disorders are increasing and show a variety of symptoms. They mainly include anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorders not specified (EDNOS). They predominate in females and represent an important danger, especially in teenagers. In serious cases, they may be life‐threatening. Objective To determine the prevalence of cutaneous findings in patients with eating disorders and to compare the results with those found in the literature. Methods An observational, transverse, and prospective study was performed. Two hundred patients of recent admission to ALUBA (association that fights against BN and AN), a psychiatric unit for eating disorders, were included: 122 BN; 62 AN; 16 EDNOS. Results Patients with eating disorders show dermatologic manifestations (alopecia, xerosis, hypertrichosis, caries, nail fragility) that are secondary to starvation. Russell's sign, seen as calluses on the dorsal aspect of the hands, is a consequence of self‐induced vomiting and the local trauma of the superior incisors. This sign represents a compensatory behavior to overeating and predominates in the BN group. Conclusion The recognition of dermatologic signs could be of immense value and could lead to the early diagnosis and treatment of these eating disorders.