Efficacy of sertraline for bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the efficacy of sertraline in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with bulimia nervosa.


METHODS
Eighteen women enrolled in an 8-week open trial of sertraline. Eating disorder psychopathology and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial using both semistructured interviews and self-report questionnaires.


RESULTS
Findings indicated significant reductions in eating disorder psychopathology, including the number of binges and purges per week, as well as significant reductions in depressive symptoms. In addition, participants did not experience significant weight gain or any other sertraline side effect assessed at the end of the trial compared with baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from the current study indicate that sertraline is efficacious in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. A double-blind controlled trial of sertraline is recommended for future research.
Sloan
Denise M
DM
Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA. dsloan@temple.edu
Mizes
J Scott
JS
Helbok
Craig
C
Muck
Rebekah
R
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline