Elevated plasma lipids in patients with binge eating disorders are found only in those who are anorexic

We have previously shown that patients with restricting type anorexia nervosa (AN-R) have low plasma lipid levels, which increase with refeeding. In this study, we investigated plasma lipid levels in patients with eating disorders, distinguishing between individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa of the binge eating/purging type (AN-B).

We examined the fasting lipid levels in individuals with BN (n = 10) and AN-B (n = 9), and compared these findings with a group of age-matched normal weight healthy controls (C) (n = 10).

The AN-B group had significantly higher concentrations of total plasma cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoA1, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol than both control and BN groups (p < .05). The AN-B group also had higher plasma triglycerides and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL)-apo B levels (p < .05) than controls.

In conclusion, the issue of hyperlipidemia in patients with eating disorders is a complex one and this study, taken together with the findings of our previous study, demonstrates the importance of carefully distinguishing between the major types of eating disorders (AN-R, BN, and AN-B) when examining plasma lipid levels.