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Journal of Medical Case Reports

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Case report

Dental erosion in patients seeking treatment for gastrointestinal complaints: a case series

Authors: Vincenzo Bruno, Massimo Amato, Santo Catapano, Paola Iovino

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Introduction

Eating disorders which embrace anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified can be life-threatening due to general medical complications; however, the diagnosis of eating disorder is often delayed due to a low suspicion index. Gastroenterologists are health care providers who may come into contact with patients with undiagnosed eating disorders; it has been previously demonstrated that patients with eating disorders frequently have a significant association with functional dyspepsia. Signs of dental erosion have been described in patients with eating disorders; hence, they may help to identify eating disorders in patients who present with functional dyspepsia and deny having an eating disorder.

Case presentation

In this report we describe three cases (a 25-year-old white woman, a 24-year-old white woman, and a 40-year-old white man) with undiagnosed eating disorders, in which a more comprehensive approach, such as the recognition of dental erosion joined with a careful gastrointestinal investigation, was performed to reach a final diagnosis of an eating disorder.

Conclusions

The screening for dental erosion in patients seeking or receiving medical treatment for dyspeptic symptoms in a gastrointestinal out-patient clinic could be an aid for gastroenterologists to recognize the presence of an underlying eating disorder.

A close collaboration with dentists, in addition to psychiatrists, could provide a more favorable treatment outcome.

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Title: Dental erosion in patients seeking treatment for gastrointestinal complaints: a case series
Authors: Vincenzo Bruno
Massimo Amato
Santo Catapano
Paola Iovino
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-015-0738-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Dental erosion in patients seeking treatment for gastrointestinal complaints: a case series

Abstract

Introduction

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Case presentation

Conclusions

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