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Defecatory disorders in anorexia nervosa: a clinical study
P Sileri1, L Franceschilli, A De Lorenzo
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy, piersileri@yahoo.com.
Techniques in Coloproctology
|September 14, 2013
Summary
Defecatory disorders, including constipation and fecal incontinence, are highly prevalent in patients with anorexia nervosa. These conditions worsen with the severity and duration of the eating disorder.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Defecatory disorders are often overlooked in patients with eating disorders.
- This study focuses on the prevalence and types of defecatory disorders in individuals with anorexia nervosa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence (FI) in patients with anorexia nervosa.
- To investigate if illness duration and low body mass index (BMI) exacerbate these defecatory issues.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study involving patients with anorexia nervosa and a healthy control group.
- Utilized the Wexner constipation score (WCS), Altomare's obstructed defecation score (OD score), and the faecal incontinence severity index (FISI).
- Defined clinically relevant scores as WCS ≥5, OD score ≥10, and FISI ≥10.
Main Results:
- 93% of anorexia nervosa patients (n=85) experienced defecatory disorders compared to 12% of controls (n=57).
- Constipation (83%) and obstructed defecation (84%) were highly prevalent in the study group.
- 73% of patients reported fecal incontinence, with 64% experiencing a combination of constipation and FI.
Conclusions:
- Defecatory disorders are significantly associated with anorexia nervosa.
- The incidence and severity of these disorders increase with the duration and lower BMI of the illness.
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