Physical and psychological factors influencing heart rate variability in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine which physical and psychological factors influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHODS

The subjects were 14 AN patients and 12 healthy controls. Beat to beat heart rate variability recorded in a supine position with a controlled respiratory rate of 15/min, was analyzed using power spectral analysis. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale respectively.

RESULTS

Anxiety had a significant negative correlation with the ANS of AN patients. The illness duration times body mass index (BMI), a measure of sustained extreme loss of weight, was also significantly associated with changes in the ANS of AN patients.

CONCLUSION

Although the ANS is influenced by various factors, sustained extreme loss of weight seems to be more influential factor in AN patients.