Growth hormone level at admission and its evolution during refeeding are predictive of short-term outcome in restrictive anorexia nervosa.

The growth hormone (GH)­insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis is dramatically altered in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether GH and IGF-1 could be predictors of outcome in patients with a restrictive form of AN. Blood levels of GH, IGF-1, adipocytokines, ghrelin, insulin, glucose, and sex and thyroid hormones were measured in eleven women inpatients with AN and in ten healthy women controls. Three stages were compared during refeeding: admission (T0), when BMI reached 16 kg/m2 (T1) and at discharge when BMI reached 17.5 kg/m2 (T2). Clinical status was assessed 6 months after discharge from hospital (T3), and remission was defined by the maintenance of a BMI > or = 17.5 kg/m2. AN patients in remission (AN-R; n 6) had significantly higher GH levels at admission than those who relapsed (AN-NR; n 5) (P < 0.05). During refeeding (delta = T2 - T0), the AN-R group differed from the AN-NR group only by both GH level decrease (P < 0.05) and BMI increase (P < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, delta GH was associated negatively and significantly and delta leptin and delta body fat mass levels were associated positively and significantly with BMI at T3 and explained 88% of its variability (r2 0.88, P < 0.05). The present study suggests that a low GH level at admission and the absence of its decrease after weight recovery could predict short-term relapse in women suffering from a restrictive form of AN.

The impact of weight normalization on quality of recovery in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: There is little agreement on what constitutes remission in anorexia nervosa. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the medical, psychological, and social status of 2 female populations previously treated for anorexia nervosa and differing in their achievement of normal weight. DESIGN: One hundred forty-one patients responded to a questionnaire documenting morphometric parameters, subjective perception of outcome, concerns about body shape and diet, and quality of familial, emotional, and professional life. Two groups were defined according to body mass index (BMI): normal (n = 69) with BMI > or = 18.5 kg/m(2), and subnormal (n = 72) with BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2). In addition, subgroups (21 in each category) were interviewed. An age-matched control population composed of 156 women, either students or Health Services employees, responded to a similar questionnaire. RESULTS: Only a minority of patients assessed themselves as recovered, and there was no statistically significant difference in perception of recovery between normal BMI and subnormal BMI groups (27.5% and 15.3%, respectively). As expected, underweight patients reported significantly more frequent purging behaviors, amenorrhea, recent hospitalization, and prolonged student status. In contrast, there were no significant differences in terms of pregnancy rate, psychiatric comorbidities, social integration, sexual activity, and self-assessment of professional and familial life. In comparison to control subjects, former anorexia patients with normalized BMI more frequently reported vomiting, fear of high-calorie foods, and treatment for depression. CONCLUSIONS: These few long-term advantages observed after BMI normalization suggest that normalization of nutritional status remains an important target in anorexia nervosa. However, the persistence of psychological distress after nutritional recovery confirms that more effective treatments are needed that target long-term psychological recovery.