Approche physiopathologique des symptômes et complications de l'anorexie mentale. de quetelet aux adipocytokines.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is the most typical but also the most severe of eating disorders. Its prevalence among adolescents is estimated at 1% and its incidence has doubled the last twenty years. One of the most characteristic clinical sign in the anorexic people who have markedly decreased body mass index, is the prominent loss of fat tissues. This observation is confirmed by several studies of body composition measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or bioimpedance. The recent discovery of some adipocytokines, such as leptin and adiponectin has allowed to explain various complications classically described in AN, in particular hematologic changes, immunodepression, osteopenia and several neuro-endocrine disorders.