Emergency Medicine Cases

Ep 202 Eating Disorders: Common, Commonly Missed, Mismanaged and Misunderstood

22 snips
Feb 18, 2025
Samantha Martin, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine, and Jennifer Tomlin, an emergency medicine clinician, discuss the often-overlooked signs of eating disorders in emergency settings. They reveal the high mortality rates associated with these disorders and the common misdiagnoses due to vague symptoms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early detection, the role of family dynamics in recovery, and critical screening techniques like the SCOFF questionnaire. They also cover the medical complications of eating disorders and the vital need for clinicians to probe deeper into patient histories.
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INSIGHT

Why Eating Disorders Get Missed

  • Eating disorders are often missed in the ED due to several factors.
  • These include lack of education, patient denial, atypical presentations, and shame.
INSIGHT

BMI Misconception

  • BMI is an imprecise measure of health, especially in adolescents.
  • Growth curves and changes in weight are more important indicators than absolute weight.
ANECDOTE

Medical Triggers

  • A patient with a genetic predisposition might develop an eating disorder after a severe gastrointestinal illness.
  • This illness can trigger weight loss, initiating a negative energy balance.
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