Heart rate power spectrum analysis of autonomic dysfunction in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
We studied autonomic modulation of heart rate in 8 females with anorexia nervosa (AN) using power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability in the supine and standing positions at baseline and after 2 weeks of intensive nutritional rehabilitation, and compared findings with healthy female control subjects. The results indicate that there is a decrease in sympathetic modulation of heart rate, evident by a deficit of low frequency (0.01-0.15 Hz) heart rate power in the supine position in AN compared with control subjects. In addition, parasympathetic modulation of heart rate failed to decrease with standing. A trend toward improvement in autonomic control of heart rate in adolescents with AN occurs in the supine position relatively early in weight rehabilitation. PSA is a sensitive, quantitative, and noninvasive means of determining autonomic control of heart rate and could be a useful tool in monitoring the health of patients with AN.
Kreipe
R E
RE
Adolescent Medicine Eating Disorders Program, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642-8690.
Goldstein
B
B
DeKing
D E
DE
Tipton
R
R
Kempski
M H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted