Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in anorexia nervosa

The literature on anorexia nervosa largely ignores the acid-base and electrolyte disturbances that may accompany this condition. In an attempt to assess the magnitude of these disturbances in anorexia nervosa the authors reviewed the laboratory profiles of 7 patients with the disease who were consecutively admitted to a hospital over a period of 8 years. Several acid-base and electrolyte disturbances were observed; the most frequent was chloride-responsive metabolic alkalosis. The authors suggest that all patients with anorexia nervosa receive diagnostic studies for these disturbances, including ECG and urinary electrolytes when necessary, so that abnormalities can be diagnosed and treated appropriately.