Electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities associated with purging behaviors

ObjectiveEating disorders that are associated with purging behaviors are complicated by frequent blood electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities. Herein, we review the major electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities and their treatment methods. The body of rigorous, eating disorder-specific literature on this topical area is not robust enough to perform a systematic review as defined by PRISMA guidelines. Therefore, a qualitative review of mostly medical literature was conducted. ResultsHypokalemia, hyponatremia, and sodium chloride-responsive metabolic alkalosis are the most common serum changes that occur as a result of purging behaviors. They vary depending on the mode and frequency of purging behaviors. They can all potentially cause dangerous medical complications and are in need of definitive medical treatment. DiscussionEating disorders that are associated with purging behaviors are associated with a number of electrolyte and acid-base changes which are complex in their origin, documented to be medically dangerous and this definitive treatment is necessary to help achieve a successful treatment outcome, and in need of definitive treatment as described herein. Resumen ObjetivoLos Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria que estan asociados con comportamientos purgativos se complican frecuentemente con anormalidades electroliticas y acido-base. Aqui revisaremos las principales anormalidades electroliticas y acido-base y sus metodos de tratamiento. La literatura especifica en trastorno de la conducta alimentaria en esta tematica particular, no es lo suficientemente robusta como para llevar a cabo una revision sistematica tal y como lo definen los lineamientos PRISMA. Por lo tanto, se llevo a cabo una revision cualitativa mayormente de la literatura medica. ResultadosLa hipopotasemia, hiponatremia, y la alcalosis metabolica sensible al cloruro de sodio son los cambios sericos mas comunes que ocurren en los comportamientos purgativos. Todas ellas pueden causar potencialmente complicaciones medicas peligrosas y que requieren de un tratamiento medico definitivo. ConclusionesLos trastornos de la conducta alimentaria asociados a comportamientos purgativos estan asociados a un numero de cambios electroliticos y acido-base que son complejos en su origen, documentados como medicamente peligrosos y que su tratamiento definitivo es necesario para alcanzar un resultado exitoso de tratamiento, y necesitan un tratamiento definitivo como se describe en el presente documento. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:311-318).