An audit of the changes in thiamine levels during higher caloric nutritional rehabilitation of adolescent patients hospitalised with a restrictive eating disorder

Prevalence of thiamine deficiency in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Thiamine is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in many biochemical processes in the body. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one potential cause of a state of deficiency which can result in grave medical sequelae. There is limited available evidence of the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in patients who suffer from AN. The current study aimed to systematically review all available evidence on the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in cohorts with AN. Studies were included where thiamine status in a group of participants with AN was measured, either through self-reporting or objective measurement. Eight databases (Scopus, CINAHL complete, Medline complete, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, PROSPERO, COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched. PRISMA guidelines were followed. The study was registered on PROSPERO. A minimum of two researchers conducted each part of the review. The search identified 42 articles whose full texts were screened for eligibility, with 17 retained for qualitative synthesis. The prevalence rates of thiamine deficiency in AN varied from 5.9% to 100% when based on self-report dietary intake. When objective measurements were taken, rates ranged from 0% to 56.7%. The review suggested that age, body mass index (BMI), duration of illness and subtype of AN were not associated with thiamine status. The limited available evidence suggested that the use of supplements, prior treatment and higher energy intakes were associated with a reduced risk of developing a thiamine deficiency among individuals with AN. Poor study methodology including small sample size, inconsistent deficiency definition and study heterogeneity limits the conclusions that can be drawn. Ultimately, there is insufficient strength of evidence to draw definitive clinical recommendations. This review highlights the need for further studies with more robust methodology to help further inform clinical practice.

To Improve the Initial Inpatient Management of Adolescents Admitted with Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review and a Convenient Protocol

Inadequate nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) increases the risk of medical complications. There is no consensus on best practices for inpatient nutritional rehabilitation and medical stabilization for severe AN. This study aimed to elaborate an admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN based on a comprehensive narrative review of current evidence. A Pubmed search was conducted in July 2017 and updated in August 2020, using the keywords severe AN or eating disorders (ED), management guidelines and adolescent. Relevant references cited in these guidelines were retrieved. A secondary search was conducted using AN or ED and refeeding protocol, refeeding syndrome (RS), hypophosphatemia, hypoglycemia, cardiac monitoring or cardiac complications. Evidence obtained was used to develop the admission protocol. Selective blood tests were proposed during the first three days of nutritional rehabilitation. Higher initial caloric intake is supported by evidence. Continuous nasogastric tube feeding was proposed for patients with a BMI < 12 kg/m2. We monitor hypoglycemia for 72 h. Continuous cardiac monitoring for bradycardia <30 BPM and systematic phosphate supplementation should be considered. Developing protocols is necessary to improve standardization of care. We provide an example of an inpatient admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN.