P0348 - Meta-analysis on drugs in people with eating disorders

Abstract

Aims:

To examine whether drug use (DU) is higher in people with eating disorders (EDs) than in matched comparison groups and to collate, summarize and perform a meta analysis where possible on the literature related to DU in people with EDs.

Method:

We searched electronic databases including Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL and reviewed studies published from 1994 to August, 2007, in English, German or Spanish against a priori inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 248 papers were eligible for inclusion. Only a total of 16 papers fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were finally included in the systematic review.

Results:

The meta-analysis including all the different drugs for every sort of ED revealed a negligible albeit significant (z=2.34, p<.05), pooled standardized effect size of 0.119. The data showed a high degree of heterogeneity across the studies (X2(74)= 1267.61, p<.001). When ED subdiagnoses were assessed individually, DU was found to be higher in people with bulimia nervosa (BN) as a moderate sized increase in DU was found in this ED subtype (δ =0.462, z=6.69, p=<.001). People with binge eating disorder (BED) had a small increased risk of DU (δ =0.14, z=2.28, p<.05). In contrast, people with anorexia nervosa (AN) had a lower risk of DU (δ=-.167, z=1.81, p=.070, p=NS).

Conclusion:

The differential risk observed in BN patients might be related to differences in temperament or might be the result of reward sensitisation as a result of the ED behaviours specifically associated with BN.