A retrospective study of pharmacological treatment in anorexia nervosa: 6-month and 12-month follow-up

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by starvation and malnutrition, a high prevalence of coexisting psychiatric conditions, marked treatment resistance, frequent medical complications, and a substantial risk of death. Body mass index (BMI) is a key measure of treatment outcome of AN and it is necessary to evaluate the long-term prognosis of AN. This study aimed to better assess the BMI course trend between different medications and timepoints in order to improve AN treatment in clinical practice. METHODS: During the period 2010–2021, we retrospectively reviewed historical data of all patients diagnosed with AN. There were two groups in this study, which were based on the duration of follow-up. Group A was a 6-month follow-up group, comprising 93 patients (mean age 19.6 ± 6.8 years), with BMI assessed at three consecutive time points: first outpatient visit (T0), three months follow-up (T3), and six months follow-up (T6). Group B was a 12-month follow-up group comprising 36 patients (mean age 17.0 ± 5.2 years) with BMI assessed at five consecutive time points: first outpatient visit (T0), three months follow-up (T3), six months follow-up (T6), nine months follow-up (T9), and twelve months follow-up (T12). In our study, we retrospectively compared BMI courses based on patients’ usage of medication using the following variables: single medication, switching medications, combined medications, and without medications. The primary outcome measurement was BMI recorded at the 6-month follow-up and the 12-month follow-up respectively. In our study, which was conducted at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, we reviewed outpatient medical records of all patients with AN who were seen at the hospital during the period 2010–2021. RESULTS: In Group A (6-month follow-up), patients treated with antidepressants showed a mean BMI increase of 1.3 (p < 0.001); patients treated with antipsychotics showed a mean BMI increase of 1.1 (p = 0.01); patients treated with switching medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.1 (p = 0.397); patients treated with combined medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.5 (p = 0.208); and patients treated without medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.1 (p = 0.821). The results indicated that patients with AN had a significant BMI increase after treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics in the 6-month follow-up group. In Group B (12-month follow-up), patients treated with antidepressants showed a mean BMI increase of 2.7 (p < 0.001); patients treated with antipsychotics showed a mean BMI increase of 2.8 (p = 0.168); patients treated with switching medications showed a mean BMI decrease of 0.8 (p = 0.595); patients treated with combined medications showed a mean BMI increase of 1.6 (p = 0.368); and patients treated without medications showed a mean BMI increase of 1.0 (p = 0.262). The results indicated that patients with AN had a significant BMI increase after treatment with antidepressants at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: AN is a complex disease caused by multiple factors. Evaluating its long-term prognosis is crucial. Our study provides insights and highlights three key findings: 1) medication adherence is crucial in treating AN, 2) frequent switching of medications may not promote weight gain and may also require a re-establishment of rapport with patients with AN, and 3) pharmacotherapy, especially antidepressants, is more effective than no treatment. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-023-04604-3.