Establishing guidelines for pharmacotherapy trials in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa

Int J Eat Disord. 2000 Jul;28(1):1-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(200007)28:1<1::aid-eat1>3.0.co;2-h.

Abstract

Objective: This paper addresses the lack of a standard protocol for pharmacotherapy trials for patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method: Twenty-two surveys were sent to established researchers in the field of eating disorders to elicit their opinions regarding medication trials, including baseline laboratory tests, the optimal length/frequency of medication management sessions, and the information that should or should not be included in these sessions.

Results: Sixteen of 22 researchers completed and returned the survey. Their answers are the basis of the data presented.

Discussion: We propose a battery of screening laboratory tests for both conditions. We suggest 30-45-min initial medication management sessions in both AN and BN trials with 15-min follow-ups to be held weekly for AN subjects, and weekly for 2 weeks, then biweekly for 2 weeks, then monthly, for BN subjects. We also recommend that published trials should include explicit details of medication management.

MeSH terms

  • Anorexia Nervosa / blood
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / drug therapy*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Bulimia / blood
  • Bulimia / diagnosis*
  • Bulimia / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Protocols / standards
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Drug Monitoring / standards
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Patient Education as Topic / standards
  • Physician's Role
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / standards*
  • Research Personnel / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires