Eating Disorders & Bone Fractures

International Journal of Eating Disorders ^ | 2002 | na

[Normally a Lurker]

Even years after a person is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, they have twice the risk of bone fractures as their peers without the eating disorder, new study findings from Denmark show.

The findings suggest that damage caused to bones by eating disorders may be permanent, according to a report in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

However, it is possible that patients in the study were still struggling with the eating disorder, which may have kept bones from regaining strength, the report indicates.

Previous studies have found that people with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can suffer from weakened bones because of poor nutrition. Experts say that this can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fracture.

In the current investigation, Peter Vestergaard of the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and colleagues looked at 2,149 people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 1,294 people with bulimia nervosa and 942 people with another type of eating disorder. All of the patients - more than 90% female - were compared to a group of over 4,000 healthy people.

Compared to those without an eating disorder, patients were about twice as likely to break a bone after their diagnosis and the risk remained elevated for up to 10 years after diagnosis. The fracture risk was also elevated in those with other eating disorders, but not as dramatically as in patients with anorexia.

The researchers believe anorexia may cause permanent damage to the skeleton, which is later compounded by the loss of bone that can occur with aging. On the other hand, the researchers point out that even after diagnosis and treatment, the eating disorder may not have been completely reversed, resulting in continued nutritional deficits and further decreases in bone mass.

"In conclusion," the authors write, "an increased risk of fractures is present many years after diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, and the group of other eating disorders. These findings call for more awareness of potential skeletal complications linked to eating disorders in general."

[PeyersPatches]

Hi ya Lurkie!

Anorexics and Bulimics do not tend to have multiple bone fractures of the skull and ribs, as Terri Schiavo did. Her injuries is a question that should be posed to her loving husband (of course you'd have to pry him from his girlfriend to ask him).

Maybe we could ask him to take a lie detector test? Oh wait! We already did and he refused!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

There is no proof of bulemia or an eating disorder. Liquid diets are not an eating disorder. ( ie: Slimfast)

[Mo1]

That link to the article claims that she suffered a heart attack ..

It is my understanding there are documents that she did not have a heart attack

[GWfan]

I love your screen name.

[Mo1]

There is no proof of bulemia or an eating disorder. Liquid diets are not an eating disorder. ( ie: Slimfast)

OK .. I stand corrected

The lawyer for Terry's parents is on Gretta and she said that the story of bulemia was just a theory the doctors in 1990 came up with and that there was no proof of it.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Also Bulimics and Anorexics have tell tale physical signs of an eating disorder . Their faces and jawbones are altered. Anyone who would have been so comprapised by an eating disorder, tha they suffere a herat attack, would have been giving off lots of warning signs, esp to someone who lives with them.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

That was Michael's theory in order to get some malpractice money.

[Mo1]

OK .. thanks

There are so many stories that at times it's hard to keep up with the facts

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Yes, there are some very confused people here posting all sorts of vanities today about this topic, which they know NOTHING about. This poster will tell you they have facts , when they don't. They are twisting info they find ,and accusing other people, with the facts of lying and being zealots. Be careful. Tread lightly on any thread or post by the author of this thread.

[Normally a Lurker]

See #78 on the What Should Happen With Terri thread, where you said that "your job with me was done". I thought that when your job was finished, that you went away.

Glad that you think I'm easy. In some circles, the reply would be, well, so is your . . . . .

[Normally a Lurker]

Your comments indicate that you've not read the relevant articles, but rather are just making yet another emotional assertion.

[Normally a Lurker]

No documents; just a couple of publicity seeking 'speaialist' who said that with looking at the relevant medical records - statements like 20 year olds don't have heart attacks.

Such is the basis for most of the 'documents' you like to reference.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

You seem to read alot into things people say, and then report your feelings about what you have read as fact. I said my job was done. Not that I was not posting to you anymore, as you reported. I didn't even say my job was done with you. I meant on that thread, my job was done. If you had a question about that you could have asked me.

This is a new thread. My job is almost done here, BTW. Schindler's lawyer was just on Greta saying there are no reports of Terri suffering from Bulemia , according to her ( and me) that is just a theroy.

[Normally a Lurker]

Her lawyer says it, it must be true.

His lawyer, plus eight witnesses, and 18 judges say it, well, it must be false.

And we've got a document (someplace, just can't find it right now) that proves it.

Afterall everyone already knows thats true.

Just a small example of the well-reasoned logic I've been seeing here in the past week or so.

[Normally a Lurker]

Yeah, again if her parents lawyer said it, it MUST be true.

ho-hum

[Normally a Lurker]

Yeah, again if her parents lawyer said it, it MUST be true.

ho-hum

[Diva Betsy Ross]

You do not have documentation that states that many people have examined Terri and determined she had bulemia. That is a an outright lie. Last night on LArry King MS himself said he had no proof of an eating disorder, because it was the nature of the disease, "no one knows". Get your facts straight before you claim anyone else is being illogical.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

So you don't believe the lawyer who represents the people who knew Terri best, but you calim the St. Petersburg press, the husband who wants her dead and medical people who never examined Terri know the real deal about Terri's alleged eating disorder. Oh that is logical....

[Mo1]

Just a small example of the well-reasoned logic I've been seeing here in the past week or so.

Grow up .. I am just trying to understand the facts

Yes, I will readily admit I do not trust MS nor his lawyer .. because they have shown me no reason to

But I also know that her parents lawyer would not agree with MS claim either

Hence my questions if there was documentation of her bulemia

From what I can gather (so far) this was an assumption of doctors because of blood tests done the night she collasped .. but that also does not prove that she was bulemia

Plus they said she had a heat attack and later documents state that she has no heart damage

If a person has a heart attack .. the damage to the heart does not just go away

[CurlyDave]

Plus .. if she is so prove to bone fractures .. why hasn't she had more fracturs since that scan was done?

How do you know she hasn't had more fractures?

I haven't heard of any later x-rays or bone scans. It may have become progressively harder for her to communicate any complaints.