Objective: To evaluate the relationship between temporal hypoperfusion in the acute phase of patients with eating disorders and the long-term clinical outcome.
Method: Brain perfusion was studied using Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in 17 patients with eating disorders (ED) and compared with 12 controls (C). Semiquantitative analysis was carried out by left/right indexes. Clinical records were reviewed 15 years later and the patients were classified into 2 groups: bad outcome in 10 patients and good outcome in 4. The results of the basal SPECT were compared with the clinical outcome.
Results: The mean of the differences of temporal perfusion in the lower slice was 0.1476 +/- 0.1121 in ED and 0.03 +/- 0.019 in C (P < 0.001). Comparisons between C and bad outcome showed a significant difference (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between good outcome and C.
Conclusions: The temporal hypoperfusion in the acute phase of patients with ED showed a correlation with the long-term clinical outcome and suggested a prognostic value of temporal hypoperfusion.