Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a nutritional marker in patients with eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Though low levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have been repeatedly reported in patients with eating disorders, the nutritional significance of IGF-1 has not been evaluated. The study aimed to assess the utility of IGF-1 for screening malnutrition and for monitoring nutrition intervention in patients with eating disorders.


METHODS
IGF-1 and nutritional status were evaluated in 82 patients, 59 with anorexia nervosa (AN), and 23 with bulimia nervosa (BN). Nutritional assessment included the evaluation of body mass index (BMI), body fat (FAT) and muscle mass (MM), assessed by skinfold anthropometry, serum albumin, transthyretin and retinol-binding protein, energy and protein intake. IGF-1 and nutritional parameters were reevaluated in the early phase of refeeding (2-4 weeks) in 20 AN patients who entered a refeeding program.


RESULTS
Mean IGF-1 z-score was -1.74+/-0.74 in AN, and -0.74+/-0.91 in BN. Serum proteins were reduced in only a minority of patients. IGF-1 correlated with BMI (r=0.64), FAT (r=0.57), MAMC (mid-arm muscle circumference) (r=0.58) and MM (r=0.66) (P<0.001), while it did not correlate with serum proteins. In the early phase of nutritional repletion serum proteins and anthropometric parameters did not vary significantly, while a prompt and marked increase (73.9%) of IGF-1 was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-1 represents a biochemical marker of malnutrition and a sensitive index of nutritional repletion in patients with eating disorders.
Caregaro
L
L
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padua, Italy.
Favaro
A
A
Santonastaso
P
P
Alberino
F
F
Di Pascoli
L
L
Nardi
M
M
Favaro
S
S
Gatta
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012709:Serum Albumin
D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I