[Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. II. Somatic complications of undernourishment].

In anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, cachexia and deficient nourishment cause various physical abnormalities, especially of the endocrine and digestive systems and the heart. Disorders in the serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems contribute to development of an eating disorder, whereas an acquired deficiency of tryptophan impairs the serotoninergic system. Any problems of nutritional deficiencies, low blood sugar levels and gastrointestinal disorders disappear after normal nourishment is resumed. Hypotension and sinus bradycardia are manifestations of a physiological adjustment to a lower basal metabolism and need no treatment. Osteoporosis occurs from two years after the onset of weight loss; oestrogen supplementation may protect against this. In patients with infections, symptoms such as fever, leukocytosis and high BSE may be lacking. Hypoglycaemia incidentally leads to coma and death, and a lengthened QT interval to acute cardiac death. During restoration of the nutritional status, the intake of fluid and calories should initially be limited. During the first two weeks, the risk of cardiovascular complications is increased.