Journal of Obesity & Eating Disorders

A case series investigation between transaminitis and the improvement in body mass index trend among patients with anorexia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified of the anorexia nervosa type

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified are eating disorders on a rising trend in Singapore. Apart from psychological aspects of the disease, many such patients suffer from serious medical complications. Liver function tests abnormalities, usually in the form of elevation of the transaminases, have been reported to occur in up to 12.2% of patients with anorexia nervosa. The paper aims to investigate the correlation of transaminitis with the improvement of body mass index (BMI) in these patients. Method: A retrospective cohort analysis of 373 patients with anorexia and eating disorder not otherwise specified at a tertiary hospital was done. The clinical course of transaminitis was correlated with the body mass index. Results: There were 32 complete data of patients with BMI with transaminitis and their corresponding BMI on resolution of transaminitis. The mean BMI on resolution of transaminitis was BMI 15.8 for these 32 patients. The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant association between BMI group and resolution of transaminitis, χ2 = 1.32, p=0.73. Conclusion: There is no significant association between improving BMI and resolution of transaminitis. Tracking of BMI is inadequate to monitor the recovery of the liver function. There is need for routine liver function test to determine improvement of the liver function.

Author(s):

Goh Kye Hock Robin

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