Efficacy of sertraline for bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

The current study examined the efficacy of sertraline in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with bulimia nervosa.

METHOD: Eighteen women enrolled in an 8-week open trial of sertraline. Eating disorder psychopathology and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial using both semistructured interviews and self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS

Findings indicated significant reductions in eating disorder psychopathology, including the number of binges and purges per week, as well as significant reductions in depressive symptoms. In addition, participants did not experience significant weight gain or any other sertraline side effect assessed at the end of the trial compared with baseline.

DISCUSSION: Findings from the current study indicate that sertraline is efficacious in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. A double-blind controlled trial of sertraline is recommended for future research.