ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Corticosteroids have a wide range of clinical indications in the treatment of both acute and chronic medical illnesses, and weight gain is a well-documented side effect of their use. In this paper, we describe eight individuals with an eating disorder, which appeared following steroid administration for a medical condition. METHOD: These findings, support the possibility that the excessive weight gain resulting from steroid use can be a precipitating factor in the development of an eating disorder, particularly among female adolescents and young women who are preoccupied with their appearance and weight. RESULTS: Physicians caring for women receiving corticosteroids should therefore familiarize themselves with these patients' pre-morbid and current eating habits, as well as their weight, dieting and body image histories. DISCUSSION: The relevance of these cases for furthering our understanding of the development and treatment of eating disorder is also discussed.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects , Feeding and Eating Disorders/etiology , Adolescent , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Adult , Body Image , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Risk Factors , Weight GainABSTRACT
In this report, three cases of eating-disordered women in their thirties are presented to document the occurrence of eating disorders in this age group. The clinical characteristics and associated features are described. Clinicians are reminded to consider the possibility of an eating disorder in patients who present with weight loss regardless of their age.
