Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders
Objective. Eating disorders commonly present with nonspecific findings, masquerading as other, more common etiologies of malnutrition and wasting. In low-prevalence populations, these ambiguities can complicate clinicians’ diagnostic reasoning, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses. Method. We re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2009-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Medicine |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/841037 |
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| _version_ | 1849406903713529856 |
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| author | Dan Schwarz Kathryn L. Ponder Edward R. Feller |
| author_facet | Dan Schwarz Kathryn L. Ponder Edward R. Feller |
| author_sort | Dan Schwarz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective. Eating disorders commonly present with nonspecific findings, masquerading as other, more common etiologies of malnutrition and wasting. In low-prevalence populations, these ambiguities can complicate clinicians’ diagnostic reasoning, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses. Method. We report the atypical case of a 51-year-old male with a five-year history of unexplained weight loss despite extensive past medical evaluation. Previous documentation of profound lymphopenia and bone marrow atrophy had not been linked to a known association with eating disorders. Results. Evaluation for medical etiologies of wasting was negative. Following psychiatric evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with an eating disorder, not otherwise specified, and admitted to a specialized nutritional rehabilitation program. Conclusion. The nonspecific clinical history, physical exam, and laboratory abnormalities of eating disorders can make these diagnoses challenging and delay appropriate treatment. Clinicians should consider eating disorders in patients with malnutrition, severe lymphopenias, and gelatinous marrow transformation early in their workup, so as to avoid potentially negative outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4643d93b466d446fb523675759f9ab2a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9627 1687-9635 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2009-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-4643d93b466d446fb523675759f9ab2a2025-08-20T03:36:14ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352009-01-01200910.1155/2009/841037841037Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating DisordersDan Schwarz0Kathryn L. Ponder1Edward R. Feller2Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USAAlpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USAObjective. Eating disorders commonly present with nonspecific findings, masquerading as other, more common etiologies of malnutrition and wasting. In low-prevalence populations, these ambiguities can complicate clinicians’ diagnostic reasoning, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses. Method. We report the atypical case of a 51-year-old male with a five-year history of unexplained weight loss despite extensive past medical evaluation. Previous documentation of profound lymphopenia and bone marrow atrophy had not been linked to a known association with eating disorders. Results. Evaluation for medical etiologies of wasting was negative. Following psychiatric evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with an eating disorder, not otherwise specified, and admitted to a specialized nutritional rehabilitation program. Conclusion. The nonspecific clinical history, physical exam, and laboratory abnormalities of eating disorders can make these diagnoses challenging and delay appropriate treatment. Clinicians should consider eating disorders in patients with malnutrition, severe lymphopenias, and gelatinous marrow transformation early in their workup, so as to avoid potentially negative outcomes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/841037 |
| spellingShingle | Dan Schwarz Kathryn L. Ponder Edward R. Feller Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders Case Reports in Medicine |
| title | Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders |
| title_full | Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders |
| title_fullStr | Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders |
| title_short | Delayed Diagnoses: Nonspecific Findings and Diagnostic Challenges in Eating Disorders |
| title_sort | delayed diagnoses nonspecific findings and diagnostic challenges in eating disorders |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/841037 |
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