Mood change during weight restoration in patients with anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
Although depression is known to co-occur with anorexia nervosa (AN), there are few clear studies of mood in the context of weight gain treatment without the use of medication.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients admitted consecutively to an inpatient clinical research unit normalized weight to at least 90% of ideal body weight (IBW). Depression was assessed at admission and weight normalization (pre-discharge) with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).


RESULTS
Multivariate F tests showed BDI scores to be significantly improved across these two time points (BMI: F(2,20) = 166.58, p = 0.000; BDI: F(2,19) = 22.64, p = 0.000). Moreover, improvement in mood was also evident at partial weight restoration (80% IBW).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AN undergoing nutritional rehabilitation and psychotherapy on an inpatient unit present with significant depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI, and, with weight restoration, demonstrate statistically significant improvement in mood symptoms without the use of adjunctive medication. Data at partial weight restoration suggest that these results cannot be explained by improved mood related to anticipation of discharge.
Meehan
Katharine G
KG
Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Loeb
Katharine L
KL
Roberto
Christina A
CA
Attia
Evelyn
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain