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Are serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors effective in underweight anorexia nervosa?
C P Ferguson1, M C La Via, P J Crossan
1Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
Objective:
Recent data suggest that serotonin selective reuptake inhibiter (SSRI) medication is useful in preventing relapse in weight-restored anorexics. Our clinical impression has been that SSRIs are not effective in patients who are underweight with anorexia nervosa.
Method:
In order to determine whether there was any benefit for SSRI medication in underweight anorexics, we compared two groups of underweight anorexics upon admission to our inpatient hospital using a retrospective chart review.
Results:
Sixty percent of anorexic patients were taking an SSRI upon admission to our inpatient hospital. The 24 subjects taking an SSRI were compared to the 16 subjects not taking an SSRI. These two groups had similar ages and body weights as well as scores for measures of anxiety and depression and most core eating disorder symptoms.
Discussion:
These results suggest that SSRI medication had no effect on clinical symptoms of malnourished underweight anorexics.