Abstract

Background
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe mental health disorder characterized by persistent energy intake restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image. AN affects nearly every organ system, with the cardiovascular system being affected in up to 80% of cases [1]. AN carries the highest mortality among psychiatric disorders, with sudden cardiac death as a major cause [2]. Bradycardia
is the most common cardiovascular manifestation in AN.1 Nutritional rehabilitation reverses these abnormalities, but rapid weight gain
can pose risks such as electrolyte imbalance and arrhythmias. Early detection and monitoring of bradycardia are therefore crucial [3].

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from Sidra Medicine and Hamad General Hospital in Qatar. Patients admitted between December 2016 and June 2024 with AN and bradycardia (Heart Rate (HR) <60 beats per minute (bpm)) were included. Patientswith incomplete records were excluded. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board of Sidra Medicine (IRB 1929504). Data were extracted and analyzed by independent reviewers.

Results

Of 222 screened patients (aged 10–18 years), 46 met the inclusion criteria. The majority were female (91.3%), with a mean age of onset at 14 years and a percentile of median BMI for age (%mBMI) of 9.1% (z-score -2.36) (Table 1). The average admission HR was 49.96bpm, confirming bradycardia as a frequent complication. All patients underwent nutritional rehabilitation with caloric intake starting from around 1200kCal/day and increasing by 200kCal/day/day. At 1–2 weeks follow-up, the mean HR improved significantly to 78.63bpm (Table 1). Figure 1 shows the correlation between %mBMI and the change in HR (R2=0.07, p=0.133).

Conclusion

This study highlights the burden of bradycardia among adolescents with AN in Qatar. Nutritional rehabilitation was effective in  restoring HR, emphasizing the need for early recognition and careful monitoring. Future studies with larger sample size are needed to
validate these findings and improve generalizability.

Declarations
Conflicts Of Interests
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Registration
No registration applicable.
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Ethical approval
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Sidra Medicine (1929504).

References
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2. Yahalom M, Spitz M, Sandler L, Heno N, Roguin N, Turgeman Y. The significance of bradycardia in anorexia nervosa. Int J Angiol. 2013 June;22(2):83–94. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1334138
3. Proulx-Cabana S, Metras ME, Taddeo D, Jamoulle O, Frappier JY, Stheneur C. To Improve the Initial Inpatient Management of Adolescents Admitted with Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review and a Convenient Protocol. Nutrients. 2022 Jan;14(1):229. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010229