A double-blind placebo controlled study of risperidone for the treatment of adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

摘要

ObjectiveThe purpose of this double-blind, placebo controlled exploratory pilot study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of risperidone for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN). Method: Forty females ages 12–21 (mean 16) years, with primary AN in an eating disorders program were randomized to receive risperidone (R, N=18) or placebo (PL, N=22). Subjects completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2), Color-A-Person Test, Body Image Software and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children at baseline and regular intervals. Weight, labs, and ECG were monitored. Study medication was started at 0.5 mg daily and titrated upward weekly in 0.5 mg increments to a maximum dose of 4 mg until the subject reached a study end point. Results: Mean dose for the risperidone group was 2.5 mg and in the Placebo group 3 mg, for a mean duration of 9 weeks. R subjects had a significant decrease on the EDI-2 "Drive for Thinness" subscale over the first 7 weeks (p=0.002, effect size 0.88), but this difference was not sustained to study end (p=0.13). The EDI-2 "Interpersonal Distrust" subscale decreased significantly more in R subjects (p=0.03, effect size 0.60). R subjects had increased prolactin levels (week 7, p=0.001). There were no significant differences between groups at baseline or study end for the other rating scales, change in weight or laboratory measures. Conclusions: This study does not demonstrate a benefit for the addition of risperidone in adolescents with AN during the weight restoration phase of care.