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Chest pain in anorexia nervosa
C L Birmingham1, C Stigant, E M Goldner
1Division of General Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 5, 1999
Summary
Chest pain is common in patients with anorexia nervosa, with a high incidence of angina. Screening for chest pain and coronary heart disease risk factors is recommended for all patients with eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chest pain is a frequent complaint in patients with eating disorders.
- Anorexia nervosa is associated with various physical complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of chest pain in patients with anorexia nervosa.
- To assess the prevalence of typical and atypical angina in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 54 patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
- A diagnostic algorithm, derived from a Medline search (1966-1996), was used to collect pain history.
Main Results:
- Eighty-seven percent of patients reported experiencing chest pain.
- Idiopathic chest pain was the most common diagnosis (38%).
- The incidence of typical and atypical angina was 11% and 9%, respectively. Increasing age, smoking history, and family history of chest pain were more prevalent in patients with angina.
Conclusions:
- Chest pain is a prevalent symptom in individuals with eating disorders.
- The incidence of typical and atypical angina in patients with anorexia nervosa is notably high.
- Routine screening for chest pain and coronary heart disease risk factors is crucial for all patients with eating disorders.