Cholinesterase and other serum liver enzymes in underweight outpatients with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate serum liver enzymes in underweight outpatients with anorexia nervosa (A-NERV) or eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

METHOD: Serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and cholinesterase (CHE) were determined in 97 patients with A-NERV, 66 patients with EDNOS, and 56 controls.

RESULTS

In the A-NERV group AST, LDH, and GGT were higher, as compared with controls, and inversely related to weight, while ALP and CHE were lower. AST and GGT increased and CHE decreased in patients with EDNOS. Hypertransaminasemia occurred in 14.4 and 15.2%, and low CHE in 29.9% of the A-NERV group and 13.6% and EDNOS group, respectively. Three or more abnormalities were found in 9.3% of patients with A-NERV and 7.5% of those with EDNOS.

CONCLUSION

Abnormalities in serum liver enzymes are common in outpatients with eating disorders plus underweight. CHE might be considered as a marker of the effects of primary malnutrition on liver function.