Association of postnatal severe acute malnutrition with pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function in children and adults: a systematic review

Severe acute malnutrition may lead both concurrently and subsequently to malabsorption and impaired glucose metabolism from pancreatic dysfunction. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the associations of current and prior postnatal wasting malnutrition with pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions in humans. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and reference lists of retrieved articles, limited to articles in English published before 1 February 2022. We included sixty-eight articles, mostly cross-sectional or cohort studies from twenty-nine countries including 592 530 participants, of which 325 998 were from a single study. Many were small clinical studies from decades ago and rated poor quality. Exocrine pancreas function, indicated by duodenal fluid or serum enzymes, or faecal elastase, was generally impaired in malnutrition. Insulin production was usually low in malnourished children and adults. Glucose disappearance during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests was variable. Upon treatment of malnutrition, most abnormalities improved but frequently not to control levels. Famine survivors studied decades later showed ongoing impaired glucose tolerance with some evidence of sex differences. The similar findings from anorexia nervosa, famine survivors and poverty- or infection-associated malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) lend credence to results being due to malnutrition itself. Research using large, well-documented cohorts and considering sexes separately, is needed to improve prevention and treatment of exocrine and endocrine pancreas abnormalities in LMIC with a high burden of malnutrition and diabetes.

Exocrine Pancreatic Function in Girls with Anorexia Nervosa

OBJECTIVES

To assess pancreatic exocrine function in patients with anorexia nervosa using a breath test with 13C-labeled mixed triglycerides (MTG-BT) and to determine the relationship between the test results and selected biochemical and hormonal parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Anthropometric measurements, biochemical and hormonal parameters (serum leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sLR), acylated and desacylated ghrelin, free leptin index (FLI)), and MTG-BT were performed in a group of 31 girls with the restrictive type of AN, as well as 38 healthy girls (C).

RESULTS

The average cumulative dose of 13C-triglycerides recovered with exhaled air (%CD) was similar in both study groups, while the average time from 13C-triglycerides administration to peak 13CO2 excretion in expired air (time to peak (TTP)) was significantly longer in patients with AN compared to C. In both groups, %CD correlated negatively with FLI. TTP correlated negatively with sLR and FLI in the AN and with serum insulin and HOMA-IR values in the C.

CONCLUSIONS

In girls with AN, the pancreatic efficiency of lipase secretion was found to be normal, while the kinetics of this enzyme secretion were disturbed. These changes may result from disorders in the functioning of the adipose-insular and islet-acinar axes.

The intersect of gastrointestinal symptoms and malnutrition associated with anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Functional or pathophysiologic?-A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Although multiple pathophysiologic changes develop within the gastrointestinal (GI) system in the setting of malnutrition, the etiology of the reported multitude of symptoms in those with anorexia nervosa and avoidant restrictive intake disorder, as well as their contribution toward disordered eating, remain poorly understood. This systematic review seeks to better understand how these physiologic changes of malnutrition of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and pancreas contribute toward the reported GI symptoms, as well as better understand how celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic floor dysfunction, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome contribute toward disordered eating.

METHODS

Studies of any design exploring the pathogenesis of complications and treatment strategies were included. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used to structure and complete the review.

RESULTS

A total of 146 articles were used for the review. The majority of studies were observational or case reports/case series.

DISCUSSION

Pathophysiologic changes of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines develop with malnutrition, although these changes do not consistently correlate with expressed GI symptoms in patients with restrictive eating disorders. Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease also contribute to disordered eating through the associated somatic GI complaints, while pelvic floor dysfunction and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome contribute through both somatic symptoms and functional symptoms. Indeed, functional GI symptoms remain problematic during the course of treatment, and further research is required to better understand the extent to which these symptoms are functional in nature and remit or remain as treatment ensues.

Disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with celiac disease

PURPOSE

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disease characterized by inflammation and villous atrophy of the small intestine. A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for CD. Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) prevail in adolescence and young adulthood, and confer a risk of developing into full-blown eating disorders. The aims of the current study were to assess the incidence and risk factors for DEBs among individuals with CD, and to examine an association between adherence to GFD and DEBs.

METHODS

A cohort of 136 individuals with CD responded to a web-mediated survey that assessed DEBs and adherence to a GFD. The survey included demographic data (gender, age, weight, disease duration) and two self-rating questionnaires: the Eating Attitudes Test-26 and the gluten-free diet questionnaire.

RESULTS

DEBs were found in 19% of female and 7% of male responders. These individuals were characterized by being overweight (p = 0.02), of an older age (p = 0.04) and female sex (p = 0.06). Strict adherence to a GFD was reported by 32% of the responders and was not correlated with age, disease duration, age at diagnosis of CD and with being overweight.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers should be aware of the increased occurrence of DEBs in adolescents with CD, especially those who are overweight, older and of a female gender.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Tools Used to Measure the Physical State of Women with Celiac Disease: A Review with a Systematic Approach

Celiac disease (CD) is an immunological disorder that mainly affects the small intestine, generating an inflammatory process in response to the presence of gluten (a protein). Autoimmune diseases are part of a group of diseases that are difficult to diagnose without a specific protocol or consensus to detect them due to the number of symptoms and diseases with which it has a relationship. Therefore, the aim of this review was to analyze the diagnostic tools of CD used in middle-aged women, to compare the use and effectiveness of the different tools, and to propose a strategy for the use of the tools based on the results found in the literature. The present research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The search was conducted in the following databases: Scielo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Worldwide Science org. In the initial literature search, 2004 titles and relevant abstracts were found. Among them, 687 were duplicates, leaving 1130 articles. Based on the inclusion criteria, only 41 articles passed the selection process; 4 main types of analyses appear in the studies: blood tests, questionnaires, clinical history, and biopsy. It can be said that none of the analyses have a 100% reliability since most of them can present false negatives; therefore, the best way to diagnose celiac disease up to now is through a combination of different tests (Immunoglobulin A and small intestinal biopsy).

Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are mental illnesses with associated complications affecting all body systems with arguably the highest mortality of all mental health disorders. A comprehensive medical evaluation is an essential first step in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Weight restoration and cessation of purging behaviors are often essential components in the management of medical complications of these illnesses.

A New Model of Diarrhea with Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine a new method to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome.

METHODS

A senna leaf (Folium sennae) decoction was made in 3 concentrations of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 g/mL. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control (C)-, high (H)-, middle (M)-, and low (L)- dose groups. The groups received saline, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.25 g/mL senna leaf decoction, respectively, for 4 weeks. Body weight monitoring, food consumption, water intake, defecation frequency, stool Bristol score, weight-loaded forced swimming test, forelimb grip strength test, D-xylose absorption test, serum cortisone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 24 h urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS), and histopathological detection were conducted to assess the success of the senna leaf decoction-induced model.

RESULTS

This study showed that the senna leaf decoction could induce diarrhea and dose-dependently slow body weight growth, reduce food consumption, and increase water intake, stool Bristol score, and defecation frequency. Statistical differences were found between groups H and M in rectal temperature, weight-loaded forced swimming time, forelimb grip strength, and serum cortisone. The D-xylose absorption test also showed dysfunction of intestinal absorption in groups H and M. The serum cortisone and 24 h urine 17-OHCS were significantly reduced in group H.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric gavage of 10 mL/kg of body weight of a high concentration of a senna leaf decoction (1.0 g/mL) for 4 weeks was used to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome.

Increased prevalence of disordered eating in the dual diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) may lead to full blown eating disorders. Both type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) have been linked to DEBs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the presence of DEBs between adolescents and young adults with a dual diagnosis of T1DM and CD, and individuals with only one of the diagnoses.

METHODS

Individuals with a dual diagnosis of T1DM and CD ("T1DM + CD group" n = 39), with a diagnosis of T1DM only ("T1DM group" n = 97) and with a diagnosis of CD only ("CD group" n = 267) filled the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) questionnaire. Those with T1DM completed in addition to the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R).

RESULTS

The study population comprised of 403 individuals, of whom 65% were females. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups in distribution of sex, age, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, age of disease diagnosis and duration. The prevalence of DEBs in the T1DM + CD group was 3-fold higher (26.0%) than in the T1DM (8.2%) and CD (8.2%) groups (P = .003). This trend was observed for both females and males. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the T1DM + CD group had an increased risk for DEBs (odds ratio, OR: 4.7, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.9-11.2, P = .001) after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. Additionally, being female, older and overweight increased the risk for DEBs. HbA1c values were not associated with an increased DEBs rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with the dual diagnoses of T1DM and CD have an increased likelihood to develop DEBs compared to those with only one of these diagnoses.

Celiac Disease and Anorexia Nervosa: A Nationwide Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Previous research suggests an association of celiac disease (CD) with anorexia nervosa (AN), but data are mostly limited to case reports. We aimed to determine whether CD is associated with the diagnosis of AN.

METHODS

Register-based cohort and case-control study including women with CD (n = 17 959) and sex- and age-matched population-based controls (n = 89 379). CD (villous atrophy) was identified through the histopathology records of Sweden's 28 pathology departments. Inpatient and hospital-based outpatient records were used to identify AN. Hazard ratios for incident AN diagnosis were estimated by using stratified Cox regression with CD diagnosis as a time-dependent exposure variable. In the secondary analyses, we used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios for being diagnosed with AN before CD.

RESULTS

Median age of CD diagnosis was 28 years. During 1 174 401 person-years of follow-up, 54 patients with CD were diagnosed with AN (27/100 000 person-years) compared with 180 matched controls (18/100 000 person-years). The hazard ratio for later AN was 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.98) and 1.31 beyond the first year after CD diagnosis (95% CI, 0.95-1.81). A previous AN diagnosis was also associated with CD (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.45-3.29). Estimates remained largely unchanged when adjusted for socioeconomic characteristics and type 1 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The bidirectional association between AN diagnosis and CD warrants attention in the initial assessment and follow-up of these conditions because underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of these disorders likely cause protracted and unnecessary morbidity.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Eating Disorders

Individuals with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, may present with a range of gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations. The oral cavity, salivary glands, GI tract, pancreas, and liver can be impacted by nutritional restrictive and binge/purging behaviors. Complications are often reversible with appropriate nutritional therapy. At times, however, the complications in these disorders may be severe, irreversible and even life threatening. Given the often covert nature of eating disorders, the practitioner must be attentive to subtle clues that may indicate their presence. Extensive diagnostic evaluations of the GI manifestations of eating disorders should be used only when nutritional rehabilitation does not remedy the problems.

Gastrointestinal complications associated with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review identifying gastrointestinal (GI) complications attributable to anorexia nervosa (AN) was completed.

METHOD

Studies of any design exploring the pathogenesis of complications and treatment strategies were included. The review was completed in accordance with PRISMA standards.

RESULTS

A total of 123 articles were retained, including one randomized control trial. The majority of included studies were case reports and case series. Controlled studies demonstrated that patients with AN were more likely to have delays in gastric motility, gastric emptying and intestinal transit than comparator groups although results were not uniform across all studies. Published reports suggest that complications can occur at any segment of the GI tract. These issues may derive as a consequence of severe malnourishment, from eating disorder related symptoms such as self-induced purging or from the refeeding process itself. Multiple studies noted that patients with AN report high rates of GI symptoms although in the few cases where medical testing was undertaken, correlations between self-reported symptoms and measurable pathology were not demonstrated.

DISCUSSION

GI complications may occur throughout the entire GI tract in patients with AN. It is recommended that clinicians use careful judgment when pursuing targeted investigation or introducing symptom specific treatments in response to GI complaints. Evidence suggests that most GI complications resolve with refeeding and cessation of ED symptoms.

Diamine oxidase activity levels in anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients often experience gastrointestinal complications caused by their malnutrition. We hypothesized that intestinal integrity is disturbed in AN. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, which is considered to be a clinical indicator of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa, in AN patients.

METHOD

Thirty-six AN female patients including 21 AN restricting type (AN-R) and 15 AN binge-eating/purging type (AN-BP) were compared with twenty healthy women on serum DAO activity using immunoassay.

RESULTS

DAO levels in AN-R patients were significantly lower than in AN-BP patients and healthy controls.

DISCUSSION

DAO levels were decreased in AN-R patients. This finding suggests the presence of intestinal structural disturbance as one of the physical complications of malnutrition in AN-R patients.