[Comparison of controlled psycho- and pharmacotherapy studies in bulimia and anorexia nervosa]

Controlled studies of psychological, pharmacological and combined treatments for bulimia and anorexia nervosa were examined. Only studies with random assignment to treatment groups were included. Outcome criteria differed for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The bulimia nervosa studies were evaluated in a meta-analysis. The results of the abstinence and reduction rates as well as the magnitude of the effects confirm the superiority of psychological approaches to pharmacological treatment with antidepressants. The few combined treatment studies suggest the same results as for psychological treatment alone. Longer treatment duration turned out to be a positive predictor for the effects of purging and depression. As far as anorexia nervosa is concerned, there is a general and significant lack of controlled treatment studies. Since almost all of the existing psychological and pharmacological treatment studies involve additional treatment elements, a clear assignment to the treatment categories is difficult.