P255 - CLINICAL AND LABORATORY CHANGES IN CZECH ADOLESCENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A SINGLE-CENTER STUDY

P255

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY CHANGES IN CZECH ADOLESCENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A SINGLE-CENTER STUDY

M. Floriankova^1,2, P. Uhlíková², V. Dostálová³, M. Vecka¹, A. Žák¹, P. Szitányi^2,*

¹IV. Internal Clinic – Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ²Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, ³Psychiatric Clinic, General University Hospital in Prague and 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Rationale: Understanding whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the severity or presentation of anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescents is crucial for adjusting psychiatric and nutritional care. Identifying key biomarkers (e.g., ferritin, ALT, vitamin B12, NEFA) enhances our understanding of AN-related malnutrition and recovery, potentially improving early diagnosis and monitoring.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study included AN patients diagnosed before (N=19) and during (N=18) the pandemic, as well as a group of healthy controls (N=15). 18 patients attended a follow-up check-up. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory parameters were compared across all groups. The results were statistically processed using STATISTICA CZ ver.12 (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, USA).

Results: No significant differences were found in nutritional status, diagnostic delays, weight gain, relapse and remission rates between the AN groups. Compared to HC, AN patients had significantly higher levels of ferritin (p<0.01), ALT activity, and vitamin B12 (both p<0.05), and lower levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (p<0.01). When comparing patients’ condition at admission and 3 months after discharge, significant increases were observed in triacylglycerol and insulin levels, erythrocyte count (all p<0.05), and total serum protein (p<0.01). Conversely, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (all p<0.05), and creatinine (p<0.01) significantly decreased. Weight (p<0.01) and BMI (p<0.001) increased significantly, the proportion of fat and lean body mass did not change significantly. 

Conclusion: Although the number of AN cases increased during the pandemic, clinical and nutritional status upon admission remained comparable. Elevated ALT, B12, and ferritin levels are considered markers of malnutrition-induced liver injury. Reduced NEFA levels may result from increased oxidation or suppressed lipolysis.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared