C L Birmingham1, D Puddicombe, J Hlynsky. 1. Eating Disorders Program, St. Paul's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada. clbirm@interchange.ubc.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness, constipation, seizures and arrhythmias. We frequently observe hypomagnesemia during refeeding in AN. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and time of onset of hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa (AN). DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital in Vancouver, Canada. PATIENTS: Patients with AN (DSM-IV criteria) admitted for refeeding. INTERVENTION: All patients were admitted for supervised refeeding by meal support, in conjunction with our standard medical and psychological treatment. MEASUREMENTS: Serum magnesium was measured daily for 5 days and then 3 times a week. RESULTS: Fifty patients were admitted for an average of 24 days. Sixty percent (30/50) had low serum magnesium during their admission. Hypomagnesemia was present on admission in 16% but as late as the third week of refeeding in others. CONCLUSION: Serum magnesium should be measured on admission and rechecked weekly for the first 3 weeks of refeeding as a minimum.
BACKGROUND:Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness, constipation, seizures and arrhythmias. We frequently observe hypomagnesemia during refeeding in AN. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and time of onset of hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa (AN). DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital in Vancouver, Canada. PATIENTS: Patients with AN (DSM-IV criteria) admitted for refeeding. INTERVENTION: All patients were admitted for supervised refeeding by meal support, in conjunction with our standard medical and psychological treatment. MEASUREMENTS: Serum magnesium was measured daily for 5 days and then 3 times a week. RESULTS: Fifty patients were admitted for an average of 24 days. Sixty percent (30/50) had low serum magnesium during their admission. Hypomagnesemia was present on admission in 16% but as late as the third week of refeeding in others. CONCLUSION: Serum magnesium should be measured on admission and rechecked weekly for the first 3 weeks of refeeding as a minimum.