Immunity and eating disorders. Clinical description of a case

Abstract

Introduction

Recently, there is an increasing interest in the link between anorexia nervosa and autoimmune diseases. Studies show significant association between anorexia nervosa, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune thyroid disease and Crohn's disease [1]. The findings of significantly elevated autoantibodies (anti α-MSH, anti ACTH) and cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α) support this relationship.

Objectives

To illustrate with a clinical case the connection between eating disorders and Crohn's disease.

Methods

Fourteen years-old boy with moderate depression syndrome after his grandfather's decease. Since overweight diagnosis by his pediatrician, he begins to restrict food intake with an important weight loss (19 kg in 9 months) and over exercising. Blood test reveals microcytic and hypochromic anaemia, rest of the examination shows no other disorder. Psychometric assessment EDI-3 suggests Anorexia Nervosa restricting type.

Results

Two months after clinical stabilization, he is hospitalized due to abdominal pain. Exploration including blood test, serology, coproculture, sonography and colonoscopy reveals severe Crohn's disease.

Conclusions

This case is about a patient diagnosed of moderate depressive syndrome, who develops anorexia nervosa and Crohn's disease during his follow up. It exemplifies the link between stress, immunity and eating disorders. Recent findings suggest that immune diseases are involved in onset and maintenance of eating disorders. More studies are required in order to inference its consequences in evaluation, prognostic, treatment and identification of subgroups of patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.