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Cardiac biomarkers of disordered eating as a function of diagnostic subtypes
1Cornell College Eating Disorder Institute, Cornell College, 600 First Street SW, Mt. Vernon, IA 52314, United States of America.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to identify cardiac biomarkers of disordered eating as a function of diagnostic subtype as assessed via self-report inventory.
Method:
Mean heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean R wave amplitude (mV), mean T wave amplitude (mV), QTc interval (sec), Tpeak-Tend interval prolongation (sec), QTc interval prolongation (sec), QRS prolongation (sec), and spectral indicators of cardiac dysfunction (LF/HF spectral ratio, HF spectral power) were assessed via electrocardiography among women with no eating disorder symptoms (n = 32), subclinical eating disorder symptoms (n = 92), anorexia nervosa (n = 7), bulimia nervosa (n = 89), binge eating disorder (BED: n = 20), and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED: n = 19).
Results:
MANOVA results showed statistically significant group differences. Follow-up tests revealed significantly decreased mean R wave amplitude among participants with self-indicated clinical (bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) and subclinical forms of disordered eating compared to asymptomatic controls.
Discussion:
Results suggest decreased mean R wave amplitude is a promising cardiac biomarker of disordered eating.
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