Few studies to date have examined the usefulness of selective serotonin reu
ptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in an outpatient multidisciplinary treatment of an
oxrexia nervosa. The present study consists of an open, controlled trial of
sertraline in a sample of 11 restricting-type anorexics, treated in an out
patient setting, compared with a control group of patients with similar cha
racteristics. All subjects were assessed by means of a structured interview
and self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after 14 weeks of treatme
nt. Body weight and diagnostic status were evaluated again after a 64-week
follow-up. At the 14-week follow-up, the sertraline group reported a signif
icantly greater improvement of depressive symptoms, ineffectiveness, lack o
f interoceptive awareness, and perfectionism when compared to the control g
roup. Both groups reported a significant improvement in body weight. At the
64-week follow-up, only one patient of the sertraline group and five patie
nts of the control group still had a full diagnosis of an eating disorder.
Further studies are necessary to define the role of sertraline and of other
SSRIs in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.