Sleep variables in anorexia nervosa: evolution with weight restoration.

OBJECTIVE

Studies on sleep patterns in anorexia nervosa (AN) have yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, we have studied the evolution of subjective and objective sleep characteristics in AN patients before and after weight restoration.

METHOD

Thirty-four severely underweight AN inpatients of the restrictive subtype had a polysomnographic sleep registration at the time of admission and after weight restoration. Subjective sleep quality was also measured with self-report instruments.

RESULTS

Objective sleep variables did not change with weight restoration, whereas subjective quality of sleep did improve. Percentage of underweight at admission and amount of slow wave sleep were predictors of the length of time required for weight restoration.

DISCUSSION

The finding that weight restoration does not affect polysomnographic sleep variables in AN patients seems to contradict previous studies.