The relationship between weight change and C3 complement levels in patients with anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Objective: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) affects the entire body with serious medical conditions and has the highest mortality rates in any psychiatric disorder. These medical abnormalities are reversible after weight gain and resolution of the underlying anorectic state. The role of the immune system in the development and maintenance of AN is apparently underestimated. Changes in the complement system, particularly C3 in AN, are not well understood. This study was designed to evaluate changes in body weight and complement C3 levels. Method: This study was designed as a prospective study on 12 female AN patients. Serum samples were taken biweekly for 4 times. The serum levels of complement C3 levels were quantified and correlated with the body mass index (BMI). Repeated measures of ANOVA were used to determine changes in BMI and C3 complement levels. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to determine the relationship between BMI and complement C3 levels over time. Results: An increase in C3 levels was observed in the analysis of the data according to the increase in body weight of the patients as a result of eating of AN patients. There was a significant increase in C3 levels (p=0.042) and BMI levels of the patients (p=0.01). The increase in BMI was followed by the increase in C3 level. BMI increases over time were statistically correlated with changes in C3 levels. Conclusion: Increasing C3 levels with increasing BMI during the treatment process are parallel. Complement 'C3' serum levels potentially serving as a guide for monitoring the refeeding process also could be a useful marker for determining and monitoring the treatment success in AN.