Placebo-controlled trial of sertraline in the treatment of binge eating disorder

Objective: The authors' goal was to assess the efficacy of sertraline in th e treatment of binge eating disorder. Method: Thirty-four outpatients with DSM-IV binge eating disorder were rand omly assigned to receive either sertraline (N=18) or placebo (N=16) in a 6- week, double-blind, flexible-dose (50-200 mg) study. Except for response le vel, outcome measures were analyzed by random regression methods, with trea tment-by-time interaction as the effect measure. Results: Compared with placebo, sertraline was associated with a significan tly greater rate or reduction in the frequency of binges, clinical global s everity, and body mass index as well as a significantly greater rate of inc rease in clinical global improvement. Patients receiving sertraline who com pleted the study demonstrated a higher level of response, although the effe ct was not significant. Conclusions: In a 6-week trial, sertraline was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of binge eating disorder.