Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
08:26
Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
13.2K
Liver dysfunction in patients with severe anorexia nervosa.
Elissa Rosen1,2,3, Allison L Sabel4,5, John T Brinton1,2,3
1Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|September 9, 2015
Summary
Liver dysfunction, indicated by elevated liver enzymes, is common in severe anorexia nervosa (AN). These enzyme levels normalized by discharge and were linked to lower BMI and hypoglycemia risk.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Liver dysfunction evaluation in severe anorexia nervosa (AN) is often based on limited case series.
- This study investigates liver dysfunction in a large cohort of adults hospitalized for AN medical stabilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and characteristics of liver dysfunction in severe AN patients.
- To determine clinical outcomes associated with liver enzyme elevation during hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of electronic medical records for 181 adult AN patients.
- Quantified incidence of elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
- Compared clinical covariates based on liver enzyme elevation severity.
Main Results:
- Mildly elevated AST/ALT in 27.6%, severely elevated in 35.4% of patients.
- Severely elevated enzymes correlated with lower BMI, lower % ideal body weight, and lower prealbumin.
- Patients with severe enzyme elevation had higher rates of hypoglycemia, hypophosphatemia, and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Elevated liver enzymes are prevalent in severe AN.
- Liver enzymes normalized by hospital discharge.
- Severe enzyme elevation is associated with lower BMI and increased risk of hypoglycemia.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
257
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
257
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
1.9K
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.9K
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
337
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
337
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
1.1K
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
1.1K
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
764
Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
764
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
346
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
346