Does percent body fat predict outcome in anorexia nervosa?
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of body composition and neuroendocrine levels with clinical outcome in women with anorexia nervosa in a relapse-prevention trial.


METHODS
Body composition and fasting cortisol and leptin levels were assessed before random assignment in 32 weight-recovered subjects with anorexia nervosa from the New York site of the Fluoxetine to Prevent Relapse in Women With Anorexia Nervosa trial. Clinical outcome at the end of study participation was defined using modified Morgan-Russell criteria (full, good, fair, poor), then dichotomized into treatment "success" or "failure."


RESULTS
In a binary logistic regression model examining the effect of percent body fat, body mass index, anorexia nervosa subtype, waist-to-hip ratio, and serum cortisol and leptin levels on treatment outcome, only percent body fat was significantly associated with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
In recently weight-restored women with anorexia nervosa, lower percent body fat was associated with poor long-term outcome.
Mayer
Laurel E S
LE
Eating Disorders Research Unit, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and New York Obesity Research Center, ST. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10032, USA. lsm16@columbia.edu
Roberto
Christina A
CA
Glasofer
Deborah R
DR
Etu
Sarah Fischer
SF
Gallagher
Dympna
D
Wang
Jack
J
Heymsfield
Steven B
SB
Pierson
Richard N
RN
Attia
Evelyn
E
Devlin
Michael J
MJ
Walsh
B Timothy
BT
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D005473:Fluoxetine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D020738:Leptin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors