[Antipsychotics in treatment of eating disorders patient: a study with risperidone]

The use of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of eating disorders (ED) patients is a controversial issue. Although a few studies support the systematic use of antipsychotics, they are frequently used, mainly in severe disorders with other associated psychopathological symptoms.

27 ED patients were included in the study, 7 dropped-out prematurely or did not complete the pharmacological treatment. All the patients were interviewed and diagnosed according to the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-I) and the personality diagnosis was carried out with the Spanish version of the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE). The clinical assessment was performed with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and the Change Severity Assessment (CSA) at baseline and three months after the beginning of the treatment with risperidone.

A significant proportion of patients showed clear clinical and general state improvement in areas like physical state, eating behavior, family and social relationships and work ability.

Risperidone associated to the previous therapeutic treatment in patient with a severe ED, with comorbid disorders and where other pharmacological treatments have not been effective, could be a useful option.