Abstract
BackgroundPersistent structural changes of the lungs in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients are rarely described in contemporary medical literature. The objective of our paper is to report a rare case of severe bronchiectasis and inflammatory changes to the lungs resulting from chronic malnutrition in a AN patient.Case presentationWe describe a patient with severe inflammatory lung disease caused by malnutrition, resulting in persistent bronchiectasis accompanying AN. We performed an analysis of the patient’s medical records including radiological findings and laboratory results. A review of available literature shows very little data available on this topic.ConclusionBronchiectasis and other structural changes of the lungs are rare, but severe complications of severe, chronic malnutrition. As exemplified by our case report, they may require extensive differential diagnosis and pose a significant clinical challenge due to their non-reversible character. A successful treatment relies heavily on the patient’s compliance and may be hard to achieve. Clinicians managing patients with anorexia nervosa should be wary of early respiratory tract dysfunction-related symptoms and always consider malnutrition bronchiectasis as a differential diagnosis option.
Highlights
The adverse effects of malnutrition resulting from anorexia nervosa (AN) affect every system of the human body
Our aim is to describe a rare case of severe bronchiectasis and inflammatory lung disease in a patient with AN resulting in recurrent infections of the
Case presentation In our paper, we describe the case of a 30-year-old woman with recurrent respiratory tract infections over the span of 3 years
Summary
The adverse effects of malnutrition resulting from AN (anorexia nervosa) affect every system of the human body. Case presentation In our paper, we describe the case of a 30-year-old woman with recurrent respiratory tract infections over the span of 3 years She was first diagnosed with AN (restricting type) at the age of 16, and despite the physicians’ best efforts and the support of a clinical psychologist adequate cooperation and nutrition were extremely difficult to establish throughout her therapy. On admission to the ER she complained of moderate dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis and productive cough Her heart rate was elevated at 110 bpm and she had a decreased blood pressure value of 80/40 mmHg. Body temperature was normal, and she was fully alert and oriented. The objective of our paper is to report a rare case of severe bronchiectasis and inflammatory changes to the lungs resulting from chronic malnutrition in a AN patient. A review of available literature shows very little data available on this topic
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