Why do individuals with anorexia die? A case of sudden death

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 260 - 262
• Main Authors: Derman, T, Szabo, C.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-04-2006; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anorexia; anorexia nervosa; Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology; Autopsies; autopsy; Biological and medical sciences; body image; Bulimia Nervosa - complications; Bulimia Nervosa - psychology; Case studies; complications; death; Death, Sudden; Eating behavior disorders; Eating disorders; Fatal Outcome; Fatalities; Female; gaining weight; Humans; Medical sciences; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; sudden death; anorexia; autopsy; Sudden death
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.20229

Objective The mechanism of death in anorexia nervosa (AN) is unclear. Method We present a case of sudden death in AN with unexpected autopsy findings. A 36-year-old woman with long-standing AN presented to the eating disorders unit. She was severely underweight with a body mass index of 12.5. Ten days after admission, she went into coma with no obvious precipitant. Results Clinical examination and investigations failed to reveal its cause. Despite attempts at resuscitation, she died the following morning. A postmortem examination revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli and bilateral calf vein thrombosis. Conclusion This case illustrates that in AN, pathology may not manifest with obvious clinical features. A high level of clinical vigilance is required. The cause of death in AN cannot reliably be established from antemortem clinical features. We recommend that any AN death be reported and that, where possible, an autopsy be performed. This may lead to advances in knowledge and treatment practices.