Cholesterol concentrations in patients with Anorexia Nervosa and in healthy controls.
Argentinean women have one of the highest international mortality rates for cardiovascular disease and they are particularly vulnerable to eating pathologies. Cardiovascular risk is exacerbated in women with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), since high cholesterol concentrations have been widely reported.


OBJECTIVE
To compare blood cholesterol concentrations in AN patients with controls, and to correlate cholesterol with the body mass index (BMI), patient age, vomiting and tobacco.


METHODS
Cholesterol measurements documented at diagnosis from the clinical notes of patients were recorded from the Association Against Bulimia and Anorexia (ALUBA). Comparison was carried out with data of the general Argentinean public.


RESULTS
Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL concentrations were higher in patients compared with controls. Total cholesterol in patients decreased during treatment and it was correlated with the patient age, but with no other variable.


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal lipid profile places patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Older and untreated patients may be at particular higher risk of suffering from the consequences of elevated cholesterol concentrations.
Matzkin
Valeria B
VB
King's College London, Department Nutrition and Dietetics, UK. valerioo@yahoo.com
Geissler
Catherine
C
Coniglio
Raul
R
Selles
Juana
J
Bello
Mabel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D002784:Cholesterol