Anorexia. Credit line: Ingram Publishing, Ingram Publishing / Alamy / Profimedia
People with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, continue to present increased risks for several serious illnesses even after five or ten years after the diagnosis, according to a study carried out by researchers from Great Britain, reports News.ro.
The analysis, published on Tuesday in the journal BMJ Medicine, shows that the risks remain significantly higher for metabolic, liver, bone and mental disorders compared to the general population.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder, affect approximately 16 million people worldwide.
These conditions, characterized by abnormal eating behaviors and excessive concerns about weight and body image, can have a long-lasting impact on the body.
How these conclusions were reached
The researchers analyzed the data of about 24,700 people diagnosed with an eating disorder and compared them with those of a group of about 493,000 people with a similar profile, but without such a diagnosis.
Women and teenagers represented 89% of the studied group, and the distribution of types of disorders included 15% cases of anorexia, 21% of bulimia and 5% of compulsive eating disorder, the rest being unspecified forms.
In the first year after diagnosis, people with eating disorders had significantly increased risks for liver disease, kidney failure, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart failure, depression, self-harm, and suicidal behavior compared to the group without eating disorders. Although these risks decreased at five and ten years, they still remained above the level of the general population.
The researchers emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of people with a history of eating disorders, given the long-term impact of these conditions on physical health. They also draw attention to some limitations of the research, such as the lack of information regarding the severity of the disorders in the case of each patient, a factor that can influence the medical evolution.
Participants with eating disorders were also more likely to have other health problems, especially mental disorders, before diagnosis. These pre-existing conditions can aggravate the development of eating disorders and contribute to later risks.
Under these conditions, researchers recommend that family doctors collaborate closely with specialists to support patients' recovery, especially in cases where their needs are too complex for low-intensity interventions, but not severe enough to receive specialist medical support.
