Percentage Body Fat by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Is Associated With Menstrual Recovery in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 54; no. 6; pp. 739 - 741
• Main Authors: Pitts, Sarah, M.D, Blood, Emily, Ph.D, Divasta, Amy, M.D., M.Sc, Gordon, Catherine M., M.D., M.Sc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.06.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - methods; Absorptiometry, Photon - statistics & numerical data; Adipose Tissue - diagnostic imaging; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Amenorrhea; Amenorrhea - physiopathology; Amenorrhea - rehabilitation; Anorexia nervosa; Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology; Anorexia Nervosa - rehabilitation; Biological and medical sciences; Body composition; Body Composition - physiology; Body fat; Body Mass Index; Body Weight - physiology; Confidence intervals; Double-Blind Method; Eating behavior disorders; Female; Female genital diseases; Follow-Up Studies; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Leptin; Medical sciences; Menstruation; Menstruation - physiology; Non tumoral diseases; Pediatrics; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; X-rays; Amenorrhea; Anorexia nervosa; Leptin; Body composition; Adolescent; Human; Menstruation disorders; Eating disorder; Recovery; Female genital diseases; X ray absorption spectrometry; Fat; Female
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.033

Abstract Purpose To evaluate mediators of resumption of menses (ROM) in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Methods Anthropometrics, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, hormonal studies, and responses to mental health screens were obtained at 6-month intervals for 18 months in 37 adolescents with AN randomized to the placebo arm of a double-blind treatment trial. Outcomes were compared between subjects with menstrual recovery and those without. Results Twenty-four subjects (65%) had ROM. Higher percentage body fat was associated with ROM (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.06, 1.33; p < .01), as was body mass index and percent median body weight. Estradiol ≥30 ng/mL alone did not predict menses ( p  = .08) but was associated with ROM when coupled with percent mean body weight (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.09, 5.65; p  = .03). Changes in leptin, cortisol, and mental health were not associated with return of menses. Conclusions Percentage body fat may be an additional, useful clinical assessment to follow in caring for adolescents with AN.