Deficits in volumetric bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength in women with atypical anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls

Objective Anorexia nervosa is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and deficits in bone microarchitecture and strength. Low BMD is common in atypical anorexia nervosa, in which criteria for anorexia nervosa are met except for low weight. We investigated whether women with atypical anorexia nervosa have deficits in bone microarchitecture and estimated strength at the peripheral skeleton. Method Measures of BMD and microarchitecture were obtained in 28 women with atypical anorexia nervosa and 27 controls, aged 21–46 years. Results Mean tibial volumetric BMD, cortical thickness, and failure load were lower, and radial trabecular number and separation impaired, in atypical anorexia nervosa versus controls (p