Understanding Eating Disorders in Emergency Care

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, yet they are frequently missed in the Emergency Department as they can be elusive. Only one in 246 patients who screen positive for an eating disorder at triage have a chief complaint suggesting it. These patients don’t always fit the stereotype—many appear “healthy,” have normal BMI, or present with vague GI, cardiac, or neurological symptoms. Missing the diagnosis has important consequences. The earlier an eating disorder is identified and the earlier that appropriate treatment is initiated the better the long term outcomes. In this episode, with the expertise of Dr. Samantha Martin and Dr. Jennifer Tomlin, we’ll break down the essential clinical clues, screening questions, red flags, and subtle exam findings that can help Emergency Physicians diagnose eating disorders early and initiate treatment to decrease mortality and long term morbidity in these young patients. Eating disorders need to be thought of as both a psychiatric condition and medical condition to optimize the pick up rate and appropriate management. Missing or mismanaging eating disorders in the ED means missing an opportunity to save a life and prevent long term morbidity... Please consider a donation to EM Cases to ensure continued Free Open Access Medical Education here: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/