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Efficacy of citalopram in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study
Secondo Fassino1, Paolo Leombruni, Giovanni Daga
1Department of Neuroscience, Sezione di Psichiatria, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 11, 10100, Turin, Italy. secondo.fassino@unito.it
Introduction:
Anorexia nervosa (AN) still lacks a defined treatment. Since fluoxetine proved effective in weight-restored anorexics, this pilot study evaluates the efficacy of another SSRI, citalopram, in restricting-type AN.
Experimental Procedures:
Fifty-two female anorectic outpatients were randomized in the citalopram (n=26) and waiting list (n=26) as a control group. Efficacy was assessed using Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Eating Disorder Inventory-Symptom Checklist, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90 and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders.
Results:
Thirteen patients dropped-out, thus 19 patients received citalopram and 20 remained in the control group. After 3 months of treatment, the citalopram group showed a decrease on BDI and SCL-90 Depression subscale and an improvement of baseline obsessive compulsive features on SCL-90, EDI-2 impulsiveness and Trait-anger on STAXI. Weight gain was similar in the two groups.
Discussion:
These preliminary results support the efficacy of citalopram in anorectics. Citalopram seems to improve depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, impulsiveness and Trait-anger.