Psychotropic medication use in anorexia nervosa between 1997 and 2009
Year: 2012
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Despite a lack of data demonstrating benefit, psychotropic medications are frequently prescribed for patients with anorexia nervosa. METHOD: We studied 525 women (18-54 years of age) with anorexia nervosa who presented to the Clinical Research Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital between January 1997 and December 2009. For this analysis, participants were a priori divided into two groups based on date of presentation (Group I: participants presenting between 1997 and 2002; Group II: participants presenting between 2003 and 2009). RESULTS: Overall, 53% of participants reported current use of any psychotropic medication; 48.4% reported use of an antidepressant and 13% reported use of an antipsychotic. Twice as many participants in Group II (18.5%) reported using atypical antipsychotics as compared to Group I (8.9%) (p = 0.002). DISCUSSION: A majority of participants with anorexia nervosa report using psychotropic medications despite lack of data supporting their efficacy. These data are concerning given the known adverse effects of these medications.
DOI: 10.1002/eat.22037
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Interdisciplinary study of marrow adiposity, mineral metabolism,and energy balanc, Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (UL1), General Clinical Research Center, Effects of Anorexia Nervosa on Peak Bone Mass, IGF-I and Bone Loss in Women with Anorexia Nervosa, Hormonal Factors in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa, G8979384236, Boston Area Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC)
OpenAlex ID: W2000805180