Retentissement osseux de l’anorexie mentaleBone and anorexia nervosa

Bone loss in anorexia nervosa is greater as the disease appears early in adolescence and the duration of amenorrhea is important. The mechanism of bone loss seems complex. The estrogen deficiency has long been implicated as a major factor but it can not alone explain. The essential role of factors related to nutrition in particular the axis of growth hormone (GH)-somatomedin C (insulin growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) (GH-IGF-1) has been reported by several recent studies. The therapeutic possibilities of bone loss in anorexia nervosa are discussed. If the return of menses and weight recovery seem essential, they do not always fully correct this bone loss. Various studies have not shown efficacy of estrogen therapy and the best results seem to be obtained with treatments such as bone formation IGF-1 mainly associated with estrogen. The therapeutic management of bone loss in anorexia is difficult, hence the importance of early detection and follow-up.