A randomized trial on the efficacy of a 2-month tube feeding regimen in anorexia nervosa: A 1-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the high mortality rate in malnourished anorexia nervosa (AN) patients, very few trials have prospectively studied the efficacy of tube feeding.


METHODS
This open prospective study was conducted in malnourished AN patients, who were randomized in tube feeding (n=41) or control (n=40) groups during a 2-month period. Thereafter, body weight, body mass gain, energy intake, eating behavior and relapse rates were compared during a 1-year follow-up, using paired Student t-test and ANOVA.


RESULTS
At the end of the 2-months period, weight gain was 39% higher in the tube feeding group than in the control group (194+/-14 vs 126+/-19g/day; P<0.01). The fat-free mass gain was greater in the tube-feeding group: 109+/-14 vs 61+/-17g/day (P<0.01). Energy intake was higher in the tube feeding group than in the control group (P<0.05), as well as the decrease in bingeing episodes (P<0.01). Most patients thought that CEN improved their eating disorder. After discharge, the relapse-free period was longer in the CEN group than in the control one: 34.3+/-8.2 weeks vs 26.8+/-7.5 weeks (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CEN is helpful in malnourished AN patients for weight restoration, without hindrance on the eating behavior therapy nor inducing a more rapid relapse.
Rigaud
Daniel
D
Service d'Endocrinologie et Nutrition, CHU Le Bocage, 21079, Dijon, France. daniel.rigaud@chu-dijon.fr
Brondel
Laurent
L
Poupard
Anne Thérèse
AT
Talonneau
Isabelle
I
Brun
Jean Marcel
JM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology