title: Alterations in QT dispersion in the surface electrocardiogram of female adolescents diagnosed with restricting-type anorexia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  QT dispersion (QTd), defined as the difference between the longest interval and the shortest interval in the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), is a measure of myocardial repolarization inhomogeneity. We assessed QTd in malnourished anorexia nervosa (AN) inpatients and following weight restoration.
  
  
  METHODS
  QTd analysis, anthropometric evaluations, and laboratory tests were carried out in 30 malnourished female adolescent AN restricting-type (AN-R) inpatients and following weight restoration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase was found in weight/height ratio and body mass index from malnourished stage to weight restoration, paralleled by a significant decrease in QTd (70+/-16 vs. 47+/-16 ms; P<.0001). No correlations were found between ECG indices and anthropometric and laboratory measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated QTd in malnourished AN-R inpatients may indicate possible cardiac autonomic imbalance and/or myocardial damage, likely corrected following weight restoration.
authors: Geha Mental Health Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. enachshoni@clalit.org.il
authors: Eitan
authors: E
authors: Nahshoni
authors: Abraham
authors: A
authors: Weizman
authors: Amit
authors: A
authors: Yaroslavsky
authors: Anat
authors: A
authors: Toledano
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Sulkes
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010343:Patient Admission; D013851:Thinness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy