Efficacy of citalopram in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results support the efficacy of citalopram in anorectics. Citalopram seems to improve depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, impulsiveness and Trait-anger.
Department of Neuroscience, Sezione di Psichiatria, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 11, 10100, Turin, Italy. secondo.fassino@unito.it
Secondo
S
Fassino
Paolo
P
Leombruni
Giovanni
G
Daga
Annalisa
A
Brustolin
Giuseppe
G
Migliaretti
Franco
F
Cavallo
Giovanni
G
Rovera
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors