The fatal outcome of an individual with anorexia nervosa and Sheehan's syndrome as a result of acute enterocolitis: a case report.

OBJECTIVES

To illustrate the close association between a disturbed psychosocial up-bringing, frequent physical illness, and medical interventions.

METHOD: We report a case of a 44-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa (AN) and Sheehan's syndrome who died as a result of a toxic cardiac arrest.

RESULTS

The patient presented with a BMI of 13.6 kg/m(2). She refused any intensive-care treatment and died from toxic cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination revealed an acute gastroenterocolitis.

DISCUSSION: The history of this patient illustrates how psychological deprivation led to eating disturbances, early pregnancy, and the life-threatening delivery of twins. This resulted in a diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome, hepatitis C, and a ventricular ulcer. A psychosocial event triggered a late exacerbation of her AN. A helpful alliance between patient and staff did not occur as she rejected it.