Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health illness, which is very difficult to treat. Relapses with anorexia are likely and there are no medications to treat this type of eating disorder.
However, there is always a ray of hope!
A study published Monday in Nature Genetics has explained why it has been so difficult to treat patients with anorexia and explains the way toward reducing the mortality rate in the future. The study found that anorexia nervosa is more than just a mental health disorder, as it is commonly considered.
Researchers found eight genetic variants that are associated with anorexia. Some of these genetic variants are found to be present in other mental health issues disorders, such as anxiety, while others are associated with the regulation of metabolism.
The study findings suggest it is more likely that anorexia nervosa is a disorder with both psychiatric and metabolic origin, and it is important for clinicians to keep these factors into mind when prescribing a treatment plan.
Study co-author Cynthia Bulik said, “The panel of genetic correlations that we reported strongly suggest that there is more to anorexia nervosa than just the psychological component.”
Bulik and her team conducted the new genome-wide association study on nearly 17,000 individuals with anorexia nervosa and over 55,500 control participants.
They said that genetic factors contribute to the mental health traits as well as metabolic trains in people with anorexia.
However, the new study found that certain genetic markers allow anorexic people to suppress hunger for a longer period than those without the genetic markers.
Previous studies have shown that anorexic people have the “physical capacity to tolerate extreme self-imposed weight loss.” So, anorexia is not only a mental health issue but a metabolic issue as well, though more studies are needed to find the specific metabolic cause.
Bulik said, “This could explain why adequate re-nourishment is so critical to long term recovery. Stopping treatment before reaching and maintaining a healthy BMI may destine someone with anorexia nervosa to relapse because it does not give their bodies and their metabolism adequate time to equilibrate and reset.”
One reason why it has been so difficult to treat anorexia so far is the unclear cause.
Bulik said, “Right now, we have a ‘one size fits all’ approach to treatment for anorexia that typically includes nutrition therapy and psychotherapy. The findings in the new study provide an opportunity to change that.” She is hopeful that genetic variants could help identify meaningful and personalized interventions.
