Eating disorder symptoms improved by antireflux surgery: a case report with a six-year follow up.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic disorder that can overlap with lower esophageal sphincter failure and delayed gastric emptying. Patients with anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders may have a high incidence of gastrointestinal complaints, which can also be observed in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The overlap in the symptoms of these disorders may cause problems in differential diagnosis and treatment decisions. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report on a case of a patient with anorexia nervosa who did not benefit from conventional treatment strategies such as psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy, but remitted after antireflux surgery. CONCLUSION: When dealing with patients with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, physicians should keep in mind that these patients may have serious esophagogastric complications that can affect their response to psychiatric treatment. Alternatively, some patients with primary esophageal disorders may present with symptoms of eating disorders.