Biochemical parameters in identifying patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Abstract

Biochemical parameters are shown to evaluate nutritional status in eating disordered patients in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The spectrum of blood essential amino acids and nonessential amino acids are shown that are comparable between malnutrition and anorexia patients whereas bulimia patients showed better nutritional status. Comparison between total branched chain amino acid and neutral large amino acids are also shown together with blood content of cholecystokinin tetrapeptide sulfate (CCK-8s), cholesterol and cortisone. From this study it is suggested that, instead of DSM-IV as a classical method to assess both bulimics and anorectics, these parameters can be used to determine their nutritional status prior to therapy adopted and during any therapeutic approach.