Osteoporosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoporosis, including details on symptoms, treatment, prevention, causes.

Screening for osteoporosis in anorexia nervosa: prevalence and predictors of reduced bone mineral density.

Winston AP, Alwazeer AE, Bankart MJ

Eating Disorders Unit, Woodleigh Beeches Centre, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, United Kingdom. Anthony.Winston@covwarkpt.nhs.uk

OBJECTIVE: Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in anorexia nervosa (AN) can be detected easily by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This study was designed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in AN, identify predictors, and determine the diagnostic yield of screening with DXA. METHOD: DXA was used to screen 59 unselected adult patients with a history of AN. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was identified in 18 patients (31%) and osteopenia in 30 (51%). The spine had a lower mean T-score than either the hip or femur. BMI significantly predicted T-score (p = 0.0006) and the odds of having osteoporosis (p = 0.0188). There was a significant association between use of oestrogens and the presence of osteoporosis or osteopenia (p = 0.0491). There was no significant association between duration of AN and T-score. A duration of AN of less than 1 year was found in 12% of those with osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: BMI is a strong predictor of BMD in AN. DXA is an effective screening tool and should probably be offered routinely.

Published 17 March 2008 in Int J Eat Disord, 41(3): 284-7.
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