RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 18 (UPI) -- Few therapies and no drugs are available to effectively treat patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, according to U.S. researchers.
However, the researchers did find evidence of medications and behavioral and psychological therapies that show promise in treating those suffering from bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Researchers at RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center examined 181 research studies on treatment and outcomes for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
"Patients suffering from anorexia nervosa have an increased risk of mortality from factors related to starvation and from suicide," said study co-author Dr. Nancy Berkman, a research analyst at RTI International. "Over the long term, 10 years or more, only half of the patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa will be considered recovered."
Although the report did not identify any behavioral interventions or medical treatments that were effective in treating chronic anorexia nervosa patients, specific forms of family therapy were found to be beneficial for younger non-chronic patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy also showed some promise in reducing relapse risk of anorexia nervosa patients who regained a healthy weight, he report said.
