Total body potassium, intracellular potassium and body composition in patients with anorexia nervosa during refeeding

✍ Scribed by Pirke, Karl M. ;Pahl, Jörg ;Schweiger, Ulrich ;Münzing, Wolfgang ;Lang, Peter ;Büll, Udalrich

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 355 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/1098-108x(198602)5:2<347::aid-eat2260050213>3.0.co;2-l

✦ Synopsis

The total body potassium content and the potassium concentration in serum and erythrocytes was measured in 16 patient with anorexia nervosa (8 "vomiters" and 0 "restricters"). The data were compared with results obtained for I I normal controls, whose body weight was 99.6% ? 4.99% of ideal body weight (IBW). Patients were studied before treatment (IBW 72.8 ? 6.3%) and after an average weight gain of 79%. Serum potassium was not significantly different between groups, but potassium concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.0 7 ) in both groups at the time of the first study. Total body potassium-as measured by the potassium-40 method-was significantly lower in both "vomiters" and "restricters" than in controls and was normalized during weight gain. Cell body mass and fat mass were calculated from the potassium-40 measurement. Both body compartments wore significantly increased during weight gain; cell mass was normalized, but fat mass remained significantly below normal values.