Jeff Hollis1,2,3, Scott Mann4,5, Ashlie Watters1,2, Judy Oakes2,3, Philip S Mehler1,2,6. 1. Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA. 2. ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA. 3. Department of Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA. 4. Department of Surgery, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA. 5. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Colorado, Aurora, USA. 6. Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess for the prevalence of autophony, a distressing auditory symptom commonly attributed to patulous eustachian tube, in a cohort of individuals with severe malnourishment due to an eating disorder. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey study was performed. Patients admitted for inpatient medical stabilization of an eating disorder, who were also at low body weight, were asked to complete a survey assessing aural symptoms present in the previous 24 hr, including autophony. Anthropometric data and prealbumin levels were collected. RESULTS: Of 101 patients enrolled, 43 (42.6%) reported symptoms of autophony. The presence of autophony was associated with lower serum prealbumin levels and lower body weight as measured by percentage of ideal body weight. DISCUSSION: Autophony is a commonly reported, albeit rarely discussed, symptom in individuals with severe eating disorders and correlates with degree of malnutrition.
OBJECTIVE: To assess for the prevalence of autophony, a distressing auditory symptom commonly attributed to patulous eustachian tube, in a cohort of individuals with severe malnourishment due to an eating disorder. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey study was performed. Patients admitted for inpatient medical stabilization of an eating disorder, who were also at low body weight, were asked to complete a survey assessing aural symptoms present in the previous 24 hr, including autophony. Anthropometric data and prealbumin levels were collected. RESULTS: Of 101 patients enrolled, 43 (42.6%) reported symptoms of autophony. The presence of autophony was associated with lower serum prealbumin levels and lower body weight as measured by percentage of ideal body weight. DISCUSSION: Autophony is a commonly reported, albeit rarely discussed, symptom in individuals with severe eating disorders and correlates with degree of malnutrition.
Authors: Scott E Mann; Jeff Hollis; Trudy Frederics; Ashlie Watters; Judy Oakes; Stephen P Cass; Philip S Mehler Journal: Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol Date: 2022-07-04