Anorexia nervosa, liquorice and hypokalaemic myopathy

Abstract

A patient wfth a past history of anorexia nervosa developed a hypokalaemic myopathy following a 'flulike illness. Although she was apparently in remission from anorexia nervosa, the diet was found to be markedly abnormal with an excessive ingestion of liquorice and a low potassium salt intake. The clinical features and investigations, including muscle biopsy, are described. The patient is compared with 2 reported cases of liquorice-induced myopathy, and the relationship between anorexia nervosa, liquorice and hypokalaemic myopathy is discussed. © 1981 The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine.