Prevalence and Predictors of Abnormal Liver Enzymes in Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 153; no. 2; pp. 247 - 253
• Main Authors: Fong, Hiu-fai, DiVasta, Amy D., DiFabio, Diane, Ringelheim, Julie, Jonas, Maureen M., Gordon, Catherine M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.08.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alanine Transaminase - metabolism; Anorexia Nervosa - diagnosis; Anorexia Nervosa - enzymology; Anorexia Nervosa - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Female; gamma-Glutamyltransferase - metabolism; General aspects; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Liver - enzymology; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Nutritional Status; Pediatrics; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; AST; NAFLD; GGT; T 3; ALT; T 4; DRI; HOMA; AN; AP; BMI; IBW; Alkaline phosphatase; Anorexia nervosa; Ideal body weight; Body mass index; Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; Thyroxine; Dietary reference intake; Alanine aminotransferase; Aspartate aminotransferase; Triiodothyronine; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; Human; Pediatrics; Prevalence; Prediction; Eating disorder; Epidemiology; Liver function; Young adult; Female; Predictive factor; Woman; Public health
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.01.036

To determine the prevalence and predictors of abnormal liver enzyme levels in ambulatory young women with anorexia nervosa (AN). In this cross-sectional study of 53 females with AN, serum concentrations of liver enzymes and hormones were measured. Anthropometric, dietary, and body composition information was collected. Correlational analyses were performed between liver enzyme concentrations and these variables. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were found in 14 subjects (26%) and 5 subjects (9%), respectively. ALT and GGT were inversely correlated with body mass index (r = −0.27 to −0.30, P < .049) and percentage body fat (r = −0.36 to −0.47, P < .007) but showed no relationship with lean body mass. Subjects with percentage body fat < 18% had higher ALT levels than those above this threshold (median 26.5 vs 18.0 U/L, P = .01). Liver enzyme concentrations did not correlate with dietary variables, except for GGT and percentage of calories from protein (r = 0.28, P = .04). Serum ALT and GGT concentrations are inversely related to adiposity in young women with AN. Future studies are needed to determine whether these liver enzyme elevations signify unrecognized, clinically relevant liver disease.