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 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.
Rechlin
T
T
Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Weis
M
M
Ott
C
C
Bleichner
F
F
Joraschky
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales