Eating disorders in the elderly

Abstract

Eating disorders do occur in the elderly and should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained weight loss in the elderly.

Geriatric Anorexia Nervosa

“…1,12,13 A review of the literature on eating disorders in older people showed the mean age of patients to be 68.6 years, 88% of whom are women, and 81% of all cases of eating disorders were diagnosed as anorexia nervosa. 9 It is also noteworthy that 69% of cases of anorexia nervosa in this population were late onset, as opposed to the more common early onset. Our case seemed to be more consistent with late-onset anorexia nervosa.…”

“…Despite case reports and literature reviews of late-onset eating disorders, a controversy exists as to whether eating disorders can initially manifest later in life or are a recurrence of an early-onset eating disorder. 1,9,12,13 Patient records were reviewed for individuals aged Ͼ50 years who were admitted to national eating disorders center over a period of 10 years in an attempt to clarify this issue of eating disorders that present late, but the review found no cases of late-onset eating disorders in that population. 3 The possibility that eating disorders in older persons are neither well recognized nor diagnosed, or that older persons are more adept at disguising their eating disorder, should be considered.…”

“…Among older individuals with eating disorders, a particular association exists with comorbid depression. 9 A recent metaanalysis of the relationship of eating pathology and depression demonstrated that eating disorders and depression are concurrent risk factors for each other.…”

“…2 A recent review of the literature regarding eating disorders in individuals aged Ͼ50 years revealed comorbid psychiatric conditions in 60% of this population; major depression was the most common mood disorder among patients in this age group. 9 Anorexia nervosa (Table 1) is the most common eating disorder among older people. 9 The mortality associated with late-onset eating disorders is considerable.…”

“…9 Anorexia nervosa (Table 1) is the most common eating disorder among older people. 9 The mortality associated with late-onset eating disorders is considerable. A review of Ͼ10 million death records from the United States over a 4-year time period found an average of 145 deaths annually for which anorexia nervosa was the primary or contributing factor.…”