Visceral protein and hematological status of women with bulimia nervosa and depressed controls.

ABSTRACT

Serum visceral protein and hematological indices and their behavioral and clinical correlates were determined in women with bulimia nervosa and depressed controls. One hundred and fifty-two women who met DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa and 68 women with DSM-IV major depression completed a structured clinical interview and had blood samples drawn prior to admission to outpatient treatment programs. Albumin and prealbumin concentrations were lower in the depressed women, possibly due to recent weight loss. Elevated transferrin values suggested mild iron deficiency in nearly one-fifth of women with bulimia nervosa. Of women with bulimia nervosa, the 10.7% who had hemoglobin and 5.1% who had vitamin B12 levels below the normal range were not distinguishable on measures of body mass index, binge eating, vomiting, or restriction frequency. The 4.3% with low prealbumin levels experienced significantly more episodes of binge eating and vomiting in the prior fortnight than those with normal values. Frequency of vomiting was also inversely associated with albumin concentration. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were inversely and linearly related to serum vitamin B12. Lower B12 levels in those with alcohol abuse/dependence did not explain the association between B12 and HDRS scores. No hematological indices were related to body mass index, binge eating or restriction frequency, or restriction intensity. In summary, women with bulimia nervosa do not appear to be at greater risk of visceral protein or hematological abnormalities than psychiatric controls. It is suggested that a high frequency of vomiting and alcohol abuse/dependence, increases the risk of subclinical malnutrition in women with bulimia nervosa, and that poor vitamin B12 nutriture may interfere with the functioning of the serotonergic or catecholaminergic systems and contribute to depressive symptoms in bulimia nervosa.