Chart review of rate of weight gain in eating disorder patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants or fluoxetine

1. 1. The rate of weight gain in 20 hospitalized underweight female patients meeting criteria for anorexia nervosa or anorexia nervosa with bulimic features and major depression was compared retrospectively. 10 patients were treated with fluoxetine and 10 with tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline or desipramine). In addition, all subjects followed a standardized eating disorders protocol. 2. 2. The eating disorder protocol specified the total number of calories consumed daily, measurement of weight three times per week, and close observation to prevent intentional weight loss behaviors. 3. 3. Results were that there were no differences in rate of weight gain over 21 days between the two groups of patients when data were adjusted for daily caloric intake.