Alterations of Autonomic Cardiac Control in Anorexia Nervosa

Background: The authors investigated autonomic cardiac function in anorexia nervosa. Methods: Forty-eight patients, who in the present or past met the DSM-III-R criteria for anorexia nervosa, and 16 normal control subjects participated in a standardized analysis of heart rate variability during supi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological psychiatry (1969) 1998-03, Vol.43 (5), p.358-363
Main Authors: Rechlin, Thomas, Weis, Maria, Ott, Claudia, Bleichner, Franz, Joraschky, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology
autonomic cardiac control
Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Weight
Eating behavior disorders
Female
Heart - innervation
Heart - physiopathology
Heart Rate - physiology
heart rate variability
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
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Summary:Background: The authors investigated autonomic cardiac function in anorexia nervosa. Methods: Forty-eight patients, who in the present or past met the DSM-III-R criteria for anorexia nervosa, and 16 normal control subjects participated in a standardized analysis of heart rate variability during supine and standing postures. Results: Several heart rate variability parameters showed an inverse correlation to the present weight of the anorexic subjects. The values of the spectral power analyses were significantly ( p < .01) lower in patients ( n = 18) weighing less than 75% of ideal weight when compared to the results found in the control group; however, the heart rate variability parameters of anorexic subjects with restored weight ( n = 12) did not differ from those of the control subjects. Conclusions: The obtained results provide evidence for autonomic cardiac dysfunction in acutely ill anorexic patients. Further research is required to elucidate possible clinical consequences of these findings.
ISSN:0006-3223
1873-2402
DOI:10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00026-7