Characteristics and outcome of patients with anorexia nervosa on medical nutritional therapy: an institutional study with review of literature

Eating disorders (EDs) are debilitating mental illnesses that can lead to significant medical complications from malnutrition. Eating disorders are on the rise in Asia and the prevalence is expected to increase. The aim of this study was to understand the characteristics of local patients and evaluate our current inpatient nutritional rehabilitation protocol for anorexia nervosa (AN). Retrospective descriptive data were gathered from 47 patients diagnosed with AN. Patients with admissions were further stratified according to their nutritional management based on whether they were on the AN protocol or standard hospital care. Data on their rate of weight gain, length of stay and calorie prescription were collected. Similar to previous studies, the majority of AN patients were female (96.7%). However, the age at presentation of AN in this study, as compared with previous local studies, had decreased (14 vs. 16 years). We also found that patients on the AN protocol were prescribed a higher amount of calories than those given standard care (2,700 vs. 2,317 calories). Patients on the AN protocol achieved a higher rate of weight gain per week (1.15 vs. 0.29 kg) and had a shorter length of hospital stay (23 vs. 36 days). Patients with AN appear to be presenting at a younger age. Medical stabilisation of AN patients can be achieved more quickly through a higher calorie inpatient AN treatment protocol. Future local studies examining actual calorie consumption, its effect on weight gain trajectory, severity of refeeding syndrome and time to remission will be beneficial.