QT interval dispersion in young women with anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the degree of QT dispersion in a group of young women in the starvation phase of anorexia nervosa (AN) and its relation to left ventricular (LV) mass.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with self-induced starvation were matched with 16 women of normal weight and 16 constitutionally thin women (body mass index <20 kg/m2). Starving patients and control patients underwent an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. QT intervals were measured from surface electrocardiograms and QT dispersion was defined as the difference between maximum QT and minimum QT occurring in any of the 12 leads.


RESULTS
LV-chamber mass was significantly less in women with AN than in thin and normal-weight women. QT dispersion was significantly greater in AN than in the thin and control groups (QT dispersion: 50 +/- 14 vs 34 +/- 9 and 37 +/- 11 ms, P <.001; QT interval dispersion corrected for heart rate: 49+12 vs 34 +/- 9 and 36 +/- 7 ms, P <.01, respectively). A significant relation between QT dispersion and LV-mass index (r = -0.726, P <.01), and between QTc dispersion and LV mass index (r = -0.693, P < 0.01) were found only in the patients with AN.


CONCLUSIONS
Starving patients show an increased QT dispersion related to reduced LV mass. This result could represent a useful indicator of arrhythmic risk and sudden death in AN.
Galetta
Fabio
F
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, San Miniato ASL, Italy.
Franzoni
Ferdinando
F
Cupisti
Adamasco
A
Belliti
Deanna
D
Prattichizzo
Fernando
F
Rolla
Mimma
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016387:Women's Health
D006728:Hormones