NEUROLOGIC COMPLICATIONS OF ANOREXIA-NERVOSA

The records of 100 patients with anorexia nervosa were reviewed. Neuro logic complications were present in 47 patients. Neuromuscular abnorma lities were most common and were present in 45% of patients. Generaliz ed muscle weakness was detected in 43% of patients and peripheral neur opathies in 13%. Less common neurologic complications included headach es (6%), seizures (5%), syncope in the absence of orthostatic hypotens ion (4%), diplopia (4%), and movement disorders (2%). Neurologic probl ems due to chronic deficiency diseases were rare; only one patient had symptoms directly attributable to a vitamin B-12 deficiency and none had evidence of Wernicke's encephalopathy. In most patients, the neuro logic complications were reversed completely after correction of nutri tional deficiencies and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.