Long-term outcome of antidepressant treatment for bulimia nervosa

• DOI: 10.1176/ajp.148.9.1206
• Publication Date: 2014-12-17T19:40:04Z
• Authors: B. Timothy Walsh; Colleen Hadigan; Michael J. Devlin; Madeline Gladis; Steven P. Roose
• Keywords: Desipramine; Discontinuation; Anorexia nervosa

The purpose of this study was 1) to replicate previous work indicating that antidepressant medication is superior placebo in the treatment bulimia nervosa and 2) assess long-term efficacy form treatment.Eighty patients entered a three-phase protocol. An 8-week double-blind initiation phase used compare effects desipramine placebo. Patients who responded satisfactorily 16-week maintenance phase. remained well were then randomly assigned either or for 6 additional months (discontinuation phase). primary outcome measure binge frequency, which assessed weekly by self-report diaries.In superiority over reducing frequency demonstrated. treated with had mean reduction 47% at termination, whereas taking experienced increase 7%. Less than half met criteria entering phase, 29% relapsed following 4 months. There not enough discontinuation permit clear conclusions about need continued after treatment.The documents beneficial effect when compared However, limited improvement considerable relapse suggest serious limitations single trial treating nervosa.