Bone mineral content and bone mineral density in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa - a longitudinal study

Objective: Total body and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD-TB, BMD-L) and total body bone mineral content (BMC-TB)) were measured to establish the course of bone demineralization in anorexia nervosa and the clinical factors influencing BMC-TB and BMD changes during treatment. Method: Forty-two girls with DSM III-R anorexia nervosa. age 14.7 +/- 2.4 years. BMC-TB. BMD-TB and BR ID-L were measured in approximately 7-month intervals for 27.8 +/- 4.1 months using DXA. Results: Despite nutritional improvement, there was an initial decrease of BMD-LI and no change in BMC-TB and BMD-TB. an increase in BMC-TB and BMD was observed after approx. 21 months from the beginning of the study. Conclusion: The improvement in BMC-TB and BMD was related to changes in nutritional status and was significantly marked in younger patients, with earlier anorexia onset and before menarche.