TY - JOUR
T1 - Serum electrolytes as markers of vomiting in bulimia nervosa
AU - Crow, Scott J
AU - Salisbury, Juanita J.
AU - Crosby, Ross D.
AU - Mitchell, James E.
PY - 1997/1/1
Y1 - 1997/1/1
N2 - Objective: Patients with bulimia nervosa often have serum electrolyte abnormalities that result from vomiting and/or laxative or diuretic use. Thus, serum electrolytes could serve as an objective marker of such behaviors. Method: This study is a retrospective examination of serum electrolyte levels and vomiting behavior in 138 bulimic women, and of serum electrolyte levels in 70 control women. Results: Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that only potassium values distinguished bulimic subjects from controls. Potassium levels below the lower limit of normal (3.7 mg/l) occurred only in the bulimic group. Discussion: Abnormally low values for potassium are a specific, but not sensitive, predictor of recent vomiting episodes.
AB - Objective: Patients with bulimia nervosa often have serum electrolyte abnormalities that result from vomiting and/or laxative or diuretic use. Thus, serum electrolytes could serve as an objective marker of such behaviors. Method: This study is a retrospective examination of serum electrolyte levels and vomiting behavior in 138 bulimic women, and of serum electrolyte levels in 70 control women. Results: Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that only potassium values distinguished bulimic subjects from controls. Potassium levels below the lower limit of normal (3.7 mg/l) occurred only in the bulimic group. Discussion: Abnormally low values for potassium are a specific, but not sensitive, predictor of recent vomiting episodes.
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U2 - 10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199701)21:1<95::AID-EAT12>3.0.CO;2-N
DO - 10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199701)21:1<95::AID-EAT12>3.0.CO;2-N
M3 - Article
C2 - 8986523
AN - SCOPUS:0031012164
SN - 0276-3478
VL - 21
SP - 95
EP - 98
JO - International Journal of Eating Disorders
JF - International Journal of Eating Disorders
IS - 1
ER -