Menstrual status and serum leptin levels in anorectic and in menstruating women with low body mass indexes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum leptin levels in anorectic women, menstruating women with low body mass indexes (BMI) and normally menstruating women with normal BMI.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University clinics.


METHODS
Fourteen amenorrheic patients with anorexia nervosa (group A), 11 menstruating women with a BMI <18 kg/m(2) (group B), and 20 normal controls.


METHODS
Determination of BMI, caloric intake, total fat mass, ovarian volume, and serum leptin, insulin-like growth factor I, FSH, LH, E(2), PRL, and TSH levels.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Mean BMI and fat mass were similar in groups A and B and significantly higher in controls. Mean caloric intake was significantly lower in group A than in group B and controls. Median serum leptin levels were significantly lower in group A than in group B and controls, and significantly lower in group B than in controls. Median serum insulin-like growth factor I levels were significantly lower in group A than in group B and controls. Binary segmentation analysis of groups A and B showed that LH was the most relevant variable in differentiating the two groups, followed by leptin.


CONCLUSIONS
A threshold of leptin levels exist above which, even in the presence of low body mass indexes, the menstrual function is preserved.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. nappi@unina.it
Costantino
C
Di Carlo
Giovanni A
GA
Tommaselli
Emilia
E
De Filippo
Gustavo
G
Pisano
Anna
A
Nasti
Giuseppe
G
Bifulco
Franco
F
Contaldo
Carmine
C
Nappi
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology*
D020738:Leptin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone