November 01, 2001
ABSTRACT: Grinspoon and colleagues (1) reported on predictive factors for osteopenia in anorexia nervosa. The accompanying editorial discussed potential pathophysiologic explanations that link body weight and bone mass (2). Previously, I and others reported that adipose tissue mass, even at low levels, regulates leptin levels in women with the restricting subtype of anorexia (3). However, in the less commonly seen subgroup of anorectic patients who also purge, leptin levels were substantially higher, similar to those of controls. It would be interesting to know whether bone mineral density also differs between patients with these types of anorexia nervosa. It seems unlikely that low leptin levels correlate with higher bone mass in patients with restricting anorexia.
- Mehler PS. Regional Osteoporosis in Anorexia Nervosa. Annals of Internal Medicine 135(9):843-844, 2001. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-135-9-200111060-00025
