Salivary and serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) assays in anorexic patients

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to measure the salivary and serum free IGF-1 concentration of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) in comparison to an average population. Methods. A controlled clinical trial was designed for an age- and gender-matched group of 121 AN patients and 77 healthy individuals. A clinical examination was made and blood and salivary samples were taken during the acute stage of AN (BMI < 15 kg/m²) in the first week of hospitalization. An enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) suitable for measuring free IGF-1 was used. Results. Anorexic patients had significant reductions in salivary unstimulated flow rate (UFR), pH and free IGF-1 levels in their saliva and serum. Significant correlations between serum IGF-1 and BMI; salivary IGF-1 and UFR and pH were detected. Conclusions. Salivary and serum IGF-1 analyses appear to be a reliable biochemical indicator of malnutrition in AN patients. Measurement of salivary IGF-1 levels would allow new perspectives in monitoring AN in its early stages.

Key Words::

• eating disorders
• anorexia nervosa
• IGF-1
• saliva
• serum

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all of those who participated in this study and gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Prof Geoffrey Shaw for his guidance and advice concerning English language editing.

Statement of Interest

None to declare.