Alterations in QT dispersion in the surface electrocardiogram of female adolescents diagnosed with restricting-type anorexia nervosa

ObjectiveQT 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.MethodsQTd analysis, anthropometric evaluations, and laboratory tests were carried out in 30 malnourished female adolescent AN restricting-type (AN-R) inpatients and following weight restoration.ResultsA 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.ConclusionElevated QTd in malnourished AN-R inpatients may indicate possible cardiac autonomic imbalance and/or myocardial damage, likely corrected following weight restoration.