Dr. Adams
11-21-2009, 01:30 PM
"Respiratory muscle weakness develops in the first few years of anorexia nervosa and then stabilizes over time. Anorexia nervosa is a sort of peculiar natural model in which it is useful to study the effects of malnutrition on the respiratory system.
In a recent study, patients had significant reductions in the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and lung diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar ventilation. Patients' membrane diffusing capacity was reduced overall, but pulmonary capillary blood volume was similar to that of control subjects.
Both maximal and minimal expiratory pressures were reduced, but a comparison of patients who had the disease for 3 years or less and those with a longer duration showed that this mild-to-moderate impairment of respiratory muscle strength did not progress with time.
Young anorexic people -- without cachexia -- show a reduction in lung diffusion capacity, related to the duration of the disease, that is due to the membrane component -- diffusivity. In the absence of any sign of pulmonary emphysema at the quantitative computed tomography scan...suggests an enlargement of the alveoli without alveolar septa destruction, like a senile lung."
The implication is that in these patients, a structural rearrangement of the lung occurs that could be reversible with re-feeding programs."
Chest 2009;136:1356-1363.
In a recent study, patients had significant reductions in the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and lung diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar ventilation. Patients' membrane diffusing capacity was reduced overall, but pulmonary capillary blood volume was similar to that of control subjects.
Both maximal and minimal expiratory pressures were reduced, but a comparison of patients who had the disease for 3 years or less and those with a longer duration showed that this mild-to-moderate impairment of respiratory muscle strength did not progress with time.
Young anorexic people -- without cachexia -- show a reduction in lung diffusion capacity, related to the duration of the disease, that is due to the membrane component -- diffusivity. In the absence of any sign of pulmonary emphysema at the quantitative computed tomography scan...suggests an enlargement of the alveoli without alveolar septa destruction, like a senile lung."
The implication is that in these patients, a structural rearrangement of the lung occurs that could be reversible with re-feeding programs."
Chest 2009;136:1356-1363.