The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in patients with selected chronic diseases

Łukasz Ciulkiewicz; Patrycja Figurowska; Natalia Małek; Anita Kwiatkowska; Patryk Pluta; Konrad Karłowicz; Aleksandra Brożyna; Sara Emerla; Maria Hermanowska; Julia Lubomirska; Arkadiusz Bydliński; Michał Obrębski

doi:10.12775/JEHS.2024.72.51236

Authors

Łukasz Ciulkiewicz 1Independent Public Healthcare Center in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Szpitalna 37, 05-300 Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4531-7532
Patrycja Figurowska Independent Public Healthcare Center in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Szpitalna 37, 05-300 Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7269-6916
Natalia Małek Central Clinical Hospital in Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9602-2929
Anita Kwiatkowska Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7250-6194
Patryk Pluta Stanisław Rybicki Regional Polyclinical Hospital in Skierniewice, Rybickiego 1, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3251-2267
Konrad Karłowicz Central Clinical Hospital in Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4610-6456
Aleksandra Brożyna Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9403-6212
Sara Emerla Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2229-9145
Maria Hermanowska Jan Kochanowski University, Collegium Medicum, al. IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5673-6403
Julia Lubomirska Jan Kochanowski University, Collegium Medicum, al. IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8557-5108
Arkadiusz Bydliński Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4230-661X
Michał Obrębski University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0420-5853

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.72.51236

Keywords

Orthorexia nervosa, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cancer

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Orthorexia nervosa is described as an obsession with consuming solely healthy foods accompanied by restrictive behaviors. Patients with chronic conditions frequently require dietary interventions alongside medication to manage symptoms and slow down disease progression. However, when dietary restrictions are taken to extremes, individuals may develop orthorexia nervosa, resulting in malnutrition and weight loss. This poses risks during treatment, where maintaining a balanced diet is vital. In this review we aim to display the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in patients suffering from selected chronic diseases.
Material and methods. A literature review was performed to investigate the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in individuals with type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.
Description of the State of Knowledge. The occurrence of orthorexia reaches up to 7% in the general population, 72% in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 77% in case of inflammatory bowel disease, 71% among individuals suffering from celiac disease, 75% in those with rheumatoid arthritis, and 50% in case of cancer. Orthorexia nervosa mostly affects females who are younger, have higher education levels, select organic foods, prepare their own meals, and have concurrent chronic illnesses. Distress associated with diagnosis is the primary factor contributing to the development of this condition. Orthorexia ultimately leads to malnutrition, weight loss, impaired social functioning, and poses a risk of complications in chronically ill patients.
Conclusion. The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in patients suffering from chronic illnesses is significantly higher compared to the general population. Therefore, early detection of this condition and intervention are necessary to improve patient management. Further research is needed to assess the frequency of orthorexia among individuals suffering from other chronic diseases.

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The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in patients with selected chronic diseases

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