Treatment of binge eating disorder in racially and ethnically diverse obese patients in primary care: randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of self-help and medication

Treatment of Eating Disorders: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions

Specific psychological treatments have demonstrated efficacy and represent the first-line approaches recommended for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Unfortunately, many patients, particularly those with anorexia nervosa, do not derive sufficient benefit from existing treatments, and better or alternative treatments for eating disorders are needed. Less progress has been made in developing pharmacologic options for eating disorders. No medications approved for anorexia nervosa exist, and only one each exists for bulimia nervosa and for binge-eating disorder; available data indicate that most patients fail to benefit from available medications. Longer and combined treatments have generally not enhanced outcomes. This review presents emerging findings from more complex and clinically relevant adaptive treatment designs, as they offer some clinical guidance and may serve as models for future enhanced treatment research.

Is cognitive behavioral therapy more effective than pharmacotherapy for binge spectrum disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Binge spectrum disorders are prevalent worldwide. Psychiatric and medical comorbidities are common, and societal costs are significant. Evidence-based treatment remains underutilized. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, but pharmacotherapy may be easier to access.

INTERVENTIONS

Meta-analytic evidence directly comparing cognitive behavioral therapy with pharmacotherapy is lacking. We aimed to compare the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy interventions with any pharmacological treatment for binge spectrum disorders. We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and reference lists for randomized controlled trials comparing cognitive behavioral therapy with any pharmacotherapy for bulimia nervosa/binge eating disorder and performed pairwise meta-analytic evaluations.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES

Primary outcomes are remission and frequency of binges. Secondary outcomes are frequency of purges, response, eating disorder psychopathology, weight/body mass index, depression, anxiety, quality of life and dropouts.

RESULTS

Eleven randomized controlled trials comparing cognitive behavioral therapy with fluoxetine/imipramine/desipramine/methylphenidate/sibutramine were identified (N = 531). Cognitive behavioral therapy was superior to antidepressants in terms of remission, frequency of binges and eating disorder psychopathology. There were no statistically significant differences for any of the individual cognitive behavioral therapy vs drug comparisons in terms of response/depression/anxiety/weight/quality of life/dropouts. Cognitive behavioral therapy was not superior to sibutramine/methylphenidate for the primary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Data are scarce, comparisons underpowered and, considering the inherent methodological limitations of psychotherapy trials, questions arise regarding the presumed superiority of cognitive behavioral therapy. Further research is needed.

Obtaining long-term recovery: advances in optimizing treatment outcomes in patients with binge-eating disorder

INTRODUCTION

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is a complex and disabling eating disorder (ED) associated with considerable burden and impairments in quality of life and physical/mental health. It has been recognized as a formal ED category since 2013, however BED is still underdetected and undertreated.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of BED as well as the evidence on the efficacy of the existing treatments. The authors searched Scopus, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.Gov, and ANZCTR with terms including 'assessment' OR 'treatment' OR 'diagnosis' OR 'mechanisms' AND 'binge eating' OR 'binge-eating disorder' for manuscripts published between January 2013 and April 2023.

EXPERT OPINION

Most of the trials on treatments of BED have been in people of high weight with weight loss as an outcome. Nevertheless, less is known about the treatment of this condition in people with body mass index (BMI) within the normal range where weight stabilization may be a more appropriate goal. Moreover, there is a need for an enhanced appreciation of the role of combination treatment to improve overall outcomes. Also, there are important opportunities for future research in understanding the mechanisms of action and effectiveness of BED treatments.

Weight regain and mental health outcomes following behavioural weight management programmes: A systematic review with meta-analyses

Behavioural weight management programmes (BWMPs) lead to weight loss but subsequent weight regain may harm mental health outcomes. We searched for randomised trials of BWMPs in adults with overweight/obesity with follow-up ≥12 months from baseline that measured weight change both at and after programme-end. We included only studies reporting mental health at or after programme-end. We meta-analysed changes in various mental health outcomes using a random-effects model by nature of the comparator group and by time since programme end. Subgroup analysis explored heterogeneity. We used mixed models and meta-regression to analyse the association between change in weight and change in depression and/or anxiety over time, with higher scores indicating greater depression and/or anxiety. We included 47 studies. When comparing BWMPs (diet and/or exercise) to control, most estimates included the possibility of no difference, but pooled estimates for psychological wellbeing, self-esteem and mental-health composite scores at programme-end, anxiety at 1-6 months, and depression at 7-12 months after programme-end suggested improvements in intervention arms relative to control, with 95% CIs excluding no difference. Pooled estimates found no evidence that BWMPs harmed mental health at programme end or beyond. Mental health composite scores at programme-end favoured diet and exercise interventions over diet alone, with 95% CIs excluding no difference. All other measures and timepoints included the possibility of no difference or could not be meta-analysed due to high heterogeneity or a paucity of data. Mixed models and meta-regression of the association between change in depression and/or anxiety scores over time, and change in weight, were inconclusive. Despite weight regain after BWMPs, our meta-analyses found no evidence of mental health harm and some evidence that BWMPs may improve some dimensions of mental health at and after programme-end.

Loss of control in binge-eating disorder: Fear and resignation

OBJECTIVE

Binge-eating disorder involves overeating while feeling a loss of control (LOC). Emotions around LOC appear to vary; some patients fear LOC whereas others feel powerless or "resigned" to LOC. This study examined differences in psychopathology among treatment-seeking patients with binge-eating disorder categorized with fear of LOC, resignation to LOC, and no fear/resignation of LOC.

METHOD

Doctoral research clinicians administered diagnostic and semistructured interviews to characterize psychopathology and establish a diagnosis of binge-eating disorder in participants (N = 382). The interview assessed fear of LOC in the past month. Further queries assessed whether, in the absence of fear of LOC, patients were resigned to LOC or had no fear/resignation.

RESULTS

Patients with fear of LOC and resigned to LOC endorsed significantly greater global eating-disorder psychopathology than patients with no fear/resignation. Patients with fear of LOC reported greater distress about binge eating and greater depression than those with no fear/resignation. Patients resigned to LOC reported significantly more frequent binge-eating episodes than those with fear of LOC and no fear/resignation. Black individuals and men were more likely to report no fear/resignation than other demographic groups.

DISCUSSION

This study describes a novel clinical aspect of binge-eating disorder: resignation to LOC. Findings highlight the importance of including anticipatory cognitive-affective experiences in treatment formulations and planning. Future research should examine co-occurrence of these experiences and their association with impairment. Future research should also examine how fear of LOC and resignation to LOC change during treatment and whether they predict or moderate treatment outcomes.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Adults with binge-eating disorder have anticipatory cognitive-affective experiences about loss of control (LOC) over eating (i.e., fear of LOC, resigned to LOC, no fear nor resignation of LOC). Individuals who experience fear of LOC and those who are resigned to LOC had more severe psychopathology than those without fear/resignation. Binge-eating disorder has the highest prevalence of the eating disorders; thus, findings have high public significance in guiding clinicians' treatment planning.

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines update 2023 on the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders

OBJECTIVES

This 2023 update of the WFSBP guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders (EDs) reflects the latest diagnostic and psychopharmacological progress and the improved WFSBP recommendations for the assessment of the level of evidence (LoE) and the grade of recommendation (GoR).

METHODS

The WFSBP Task Force EDs reviewed the relevant literature and provided a timely grading of the LoE and the GoR.

RESULTS

In anorexia nervosa (AN), only a limited recommendation (LoE: A; GoR: 2) for olanzapine can be given, because the available evidence is restricted to weight gain, and its effect on psychopathology is less clear. In bulimia nervosa (BN), the current literature prompts a recommendation for fluoxetine (LoE: A; GoR: 1) or topiramate (LoE: A; GoR: 1). In binge-eating disorder (BED), lisdexamfetamine (LDX; LoE: A; GoR: 1) or topiramate (LoE: A; GoR: 1) can be recommended. There is only sparse evidence for the drug treatment of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pica, and rumination disorder (RD).

CONCLUSION

In BN, fluoxetine, and topiramate, and in BED, LDX and topiramate can be recommended. Despite the published evidence, olanzapine and topiramate have not received marketing authorisation for use in EDs from any medicine regulatory agency.

24-Month follow-up of randomized controlled trial of guided-self-help for loss-of-control eating after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Loss-of-control (LOC)-eating postoperatively predicts suboptimal longer-term outcomes following bariatric surgery. This study examined longer-term effects through 24-month follow-ups after completing treatments in a randomized controlled trial testing guided-self-help treatments (cognitive-behavioral therapy [gshCBT] and behavioral weight-loss [gshBWL]) and control (CON) delivered postoperatively for LOC-eating.

METHODS

140 patients with LOC-eating 6 months after bariatric surgery were randomized (5:5:2 ratio) to 3-months of gshCBT (n = 56), gshBWL (n = 60), or CON (n = 24) delivered by trained allied-health clinicians. Independent assessments were performed throughout/after treatments and at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-ups; 83% of patients were assessed at 24-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Intention-to-treat analyses comparing the three groups (gshCBT vs. gshBWL vs. CON) in LOC-eating abstinence at posttreatment (30%, 27%, 38%), 12-month follow-up (34%, 32%, 42%), and 24-month follow-up (45%, 32%, 38%) revealed no significant differences. Mixed-models revealed significantly reduced LOC-eating frequency through posttreatment, no significant changes in LOC-eating frequency during follow-up, and no differences between the three groups. Weight reduced significantly, albeit modestly, through posttreatment but increased significantly and substantially during follow-ups, with no differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the 12-week scalable guided-self-help treatments did not differ from each other or control, were associated with significantly reduced frequency of LOC-eating and modest weight loss at posttreatment but were followed by significant weight gain during the 24-month follow-up. Weight gain was substantial and nearly universal whereas the frequency of LOC-eating did not change over time (i.e., LOC-eating reductions and abstinence rates were well maintained through 24-moth follow-ups). Patients with postoperative LOC-eating require more intensive adjunctive treatments.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Loss-of-control (LOC) eating postoperatively predicts poorer bariatric surgery outcomes and the longer-term effects of postoperative adjunctive postoperative interventions for LOC eating are unknown. In this 24-month follow-up of a controlled study of scalable guided-self-help treatments and a control condition, improvements in LOC-eating frequency, eating-disorder psychopathology, and depression during treatment were maintained well, with no differences between the three groups. Proportion of patients achieving abstinence from LOC-eating at the 24-month follow-up ranged from 38% to 45% across the three groups. In contrast, weight increased significantly during the 24-month follow-ups, with no differences between the three groups. Findings suggest LOC-eating following bariatric surgery might represent a "marker" for a subgroup of patients that are at risk for substantial weight gains over time. LOC eating following bariatric surgery is challenging to treat with low-intensity scalable treatments and may require more intensive specialist treatments.

Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guideline

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of eating disorders is high in people with higher weight. However, despite this, eating disorders experienced by people with higher weight have been consistently under-recognised and under-treated, and there is little to guide clinicians in the management of eating disorders in this population.

AIM

The aim of this guideline is to synthesise the current best practice approaches to the management of eating disorders in people with higher weight and make evidence-based clinical practice recommendations.

METHODS

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration Steering Committee auspiced a Development Group for a Clinical Practice Guideline for the treatment of eating disorders for people with higher weight. The Development Group followed the 'Guidelines for Guidelines' process outlined by the National Health and Medical Research Council and aim to meet their Standards to be: 1. relevant and useful for decision making; 2. transparent; 3. overseen by a guideline development group; 4. identifying and managing conflicts of interest; 5. focused on health and related outcomes; 6. evidence informed; 7. making actionable recommendations; 8. up-to-date; and, 9. accessible. The development group included people with clinical and/or academic expertise and/or lived experience. The guideline has undergone extensive peer review and consultation over an 18-month period involving reviews by key stakeholders, including experts and organisations with clinical academic and/or lived experience.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Twenty-one clinical recommendations are made and graded according to the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence levels. Strong recommendations were supported for psychological treatment as a first-line treatment approach adults (with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder), adolescents and children. Clinical considerations such as weight stigma, interprofessional collaborative practice and cultural considerations are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

This guideline will fill an important gap in the need to better understand and care for people experiencing eating disorders who also have higher weight. This guideline acknowledges deficits in knowledge and consequently the reliance on consensus and lower levels of evidence for many recommendations, and the need for research particularly evaluating weight-neutral and other more recent approaches in this field.

Screening for Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

IMPORTANCE

Eating disorders are associated with adverse health and social outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence on screening for eating disorders in adolescents and adults to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and trial registries through December 19, 2020; surveillance through January 1, 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

English-language studies of screening test accuracy, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of screening or interventions for eating disorders in populations with screen-detected or previously untreated eating disorders (trials limited to populations who are underweight were ineligible).

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Dual review of abstracts, full-text articles, and study quality. Meta-analysis of test accuracy studies and intervention trials.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Test accuracy, eating disorder symptom severity, quality of life, depression, and harms.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven studies were included (N = 10 773); 3 (n = 1073) limited to adolescents (mean or median age, 14-15 years). No study directly evaluated the benefits and harms of screening. Seventeen studies (n = 6804) evaluated screening test accuracy. The SCOFF questionnaire (cut point ≥2) had a pooled sensitivity of 84% (95% CI, 74% to 90%) and pooled specificity of 80% (95% CI, 65% to 89%) in adults (10 studies, n = 3684). Forty RCTs (n = 3969) evaluated interventions for eating disorders; none enrolled a screen-detected population. Lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder (4 RCTs; n = 900) was associated with larger reductions in eating disorder symptom severity on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for binge eating (YBOCS-BE) than placebo (pooled mean difference, -5.75 [95% CI, -8.32 to -3.17]). Two RCTs (n = 465) of topiramate for binge eating disorder found larger reductions in YBOCS-BE scores associated with topiramate than placebo, from -6.40 (95% CI, -8.16 to -4.64) to -2.55 (95% CI, -4.22 to -0.88). Nine pharmacotherapy trials (n = 2006) reported on harms. Compared with placebo, lisdexamfetamine was associated with higher rates of dry mouth, headache, and insomnia, and topiramate was associated with higher rates of paresthesia, taste perversion, confusion, and concentration difficulty. Twenty-four trials (n = 1644) assessed psychological interventions. Guided self-help for binge eating disorder improved eating disorder symptom severity more than control (pooled standardized mean difference, -0.96 [95% CI, -1.26 to -0.67]) (5 studies, n = 391). Evidence on other interventions was limited.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

No studies directly assessed the benefits and harms of screening. The SCOFF questionnaire had adequate accuracy for detecting eating disorders among adults. No treatment trials enrolled screen-detected populations; guided self-help, lisdexamfetamine, and topiramate were effective for reducing eating disorder symptom severity among referred populations with binge eating disorder, but pharmacotherapies were also associated with harms.

Promoviendo una Alimentación Saludable (PAS) results: Engaging Latino families in eating disorder treatment

Latinos/as are underrepresented in eating disorders clinical trials. This study compared results of a culturally adapted individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for binge-spectrum eating disorders that included or excluded a family enhanced module (CBT + FE), in a proof-of-principle pilot study with a sample of Latina adults and one family member per patient. Twenty-five patients (M_age = 37 yrs) and 25 family members (M_age = 40 yrs) were randomized to CBT (n = 13) or CBT+ FE (n = 12). DSM-IV eating disorder diagnoses were: 48% (n = 12) bulimia nervosa, 28% (n = 7) binge-eating disorder, and 24% (n = 6) eating disorder not otherwise specified. Effect sizes favored CBT + FE on adherence and retention, and scores on treatment satisfaction and therapeutic alliance were high, indicating treatment acceptability. In spite of the hypothesis that family outcomes such as support, familism, cohesion, pride, family cultural conflict, burden, and marital satisfaction (in couples) would be superior in CBT + FE, the preliminary data were inconclusive and results were mixed. The hypothesis that eating disorder outcomes including global eating psychopathology, binge eating, and purging would improve in CBT + FE was not supported. There was some evidence that patients in CBT improved more particularly on binge eating, otherwise the groups had no differences. In conclusion, the results suggest that CBT + FE could enhance treatment adherence and retention, although this did not automatically translate to better family and symptom outcomes.

Psychiatric comorbidity as predictor and moderator of binge-eating disorder treatment outcomes: an analysis of aggregated randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric comorbidity is common in binge-eating disorder (BED) but effects on treatment outcomes are unknown. The current study aimed to determine whether psychiatric comorbidity predicted or moderated BED treatment outcomes.

METHODS

In total, 636 adults with BED in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed prior, throughout, and posttreatment by doctoral research-clinicians using reliably-administered semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, and measured weight. Data were aggregated from RCTs testing cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral weight loss, multi-modal (combined pharmacological plus cognitive-behavioral/behavioral), and/or control conditions. Intent-to-treat analyses (all available data) tested comorbidity (mood, anxiety, 'any disorder' separately) as predictors and moderators of outcomes. Mixed-effects models tested comorbidity effects on binge-eating frequency, global eating-disorder psychopathology, and weight. Generalized estimating equation models tested binge-eating remission (zero binge-eating episodes during the past month; missing data imputed as failure).

RESULTS

Overall, 41% of patients had current psychiatric comorbidity; 22% had mood and 23% had anxiety disorders. Psychiatric comorbidity did not significantly moderate the outcomes of specific treatments. Psychiatric comorbidity predicted worse eating-disorder psychopathology and higher binge-eating frequency across all treatments and timepoints. Patients with mood comorbidity were significantly less likely to remit than those without mood disorders (30% v. 41%). Psychiatric comorbidity neither predicted nor moderated weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric comorbidity was associated with more severe BED psychopathology throughout treatment but did not moderate outcomes. Findings highlight the need to improve treatments for BED with psychiatric comorbidities but challenge perspectives that combining existing psychological and pharmacological interventions is warranted. Treatment research must identify more effective interventions for BED overall and for patients with comorbidities.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Treatments for Loss-of-Control Eating Following Bariatric Surgery

OBJECTIVE

Loss-of-control (LOC) eating postoperatively is a consistent predictor of suboptimal longer-term bariatric surgery outcomes. This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of two guided self-help treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy [gshCBT] and behavioral weight loss [gshBWL]) compared with a control (CON) for reducing LOC eating and weight.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients with recurrent LOC eating approximately 6 months after bariatric surgery were randomly assigned (5:5:2 ratio) to one of three conditions: gshCBT (n  =  56), gshBWL (n  =  60), or CON (n  =  24). Three-month treatments were delivered by trained allied health clinicians to increase generalizability to bariatric surgery settings. Independent assessments were performed by doctoral research-clinicians using established interviews/measures; posttreatment outcomes were obtained for 89% of patients.

RESULTS

Mixed models revealed significant improvements for LOC eating frequency and weight loss but no significant differences between treatments; race neither predicted (main effect) nor moderated (interaction effect) treatment outcomes. Intent-to-treat categorical analyses of abstinence from LOC eating (30% for gshCBT, 27% for gshBWL, 38% for CON) and proportion attaining 5% weight loss (20%, 22%, 17%) revealed no significant differences between treatments; non-White participants had a higher proportion achieving LOC eating abstinence but a lower proportion attaining 5% weight loss compared with White participants.

CONCLUSIONS

In this 12-week randomized controlled trial following bariatric surgery, significant LOC eating reductions and weight loss did not differ significantly between treatments. Race was associated with posttreatment categorical outcomes.

The Neurobiology of Binge-eating Disorder Compared with Obesity: Implications for Differential Therapeutics

PURPOSE

Emerging work indicates divergence in the neurobiologies of binge-eating disorder (BED) and obesity despite their frequent co-occurrence. This review highlights specific distinguishing aspects of BED, including elevated impulsivity and compulsivity possibly involving the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, and discusses implications for differential therapeutics for BED.

METHODS

This narrative review describes epidemiologic, clinical, genetic, and preclinical differences between BED and obesity. Subsequently, this review discusses human neuroimaging work reporting differences in executive functioning, reward processing, and emotion reactivity in BED compared with obesity. Finally, on the basis of the neurobiology of BED, this review identifies existing and new therapeutic agents that may be most promising given their specific targets based on putative mechanisms of action relevant specifically to BED.

FINDINGS

BED is characterized by elevated impulsivity and compulsivity compared with obesity, which is reflected in divergent neurobiological characteristics and effective pharmacotherapies. Therapeutic agents that influence both reward and executive function systems may be especially effective for BED.

IMPLICATIONS

Greater attention to impulsivity/compulsivity-related, reward-related, and emotion reactivity-related processes may enhance conceptualization and treatment approaches for patients with BED. Consideration of these distinguishing characteristics and processes could have implications for more targeted pharmacologic treatment research and interventions.

Psychotherapy and Medications for Eating Disorders: Better Together?

PURPOSE

Eating disorders are prevalent public health problems associated with broad psychosocial impairments and with elevated rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Critical reviews of the treatment literature for eating disorders indicate that although certain specialized psychological treatments and specific medications show efficacy to varying degrees across the different eating disorders, many patients fail to derive sufficient benefit from existing treatments. This article addresses whether combining psychological and pharmacologic interventions confers any additional benefits for treating eating disorders.

METHODS

This study was a critical review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing combined psychological and pharmacologic treatment approaches for eating disorders with a focus on anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED).

FINDINGS

For AN, 3 of the 4 RCTs reported no significant advantage for combining treatments; the fourth reported a statistically significant, albeit clinically modest, advantage. For BN, 10 of the 12 RCTs reported no significant advantage for combining treatments; 2 RCTs found that combining fluoxetine with specific psychological treatments enhanced outcomes relative to medication only but not relative to the psychological treatments only. For BED, of the 12 RCTs, only 2 (both with antiseizure medications) significantly enhanced both binge-eating and weight outcomes, and only 2 (with orlistat, a weight-loss medication) enhanced weight loss but not binge-eating outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS

Despite the public health significance of eating disorders, the scope of research performed on the utility of combining treatments is limited. To date, the few RCTs testing combined pharmacologic plus psychological treatments for eating disorders have yielded mostly nonsignificant findings. Future RCTs should focus on testing additive benefits of medications with relevant mechanisms of action to available effective psychological interventions. In addition, future RCTs that test additive effects should use adaptive designs, which could inform treatment algorithms to enhance outcomes among both responders and nonresponders to initial interventions.

Naltrexone + Bupropion Combination for the Treatment of Binge-eating Disorder with Obesity: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

PURPOSE

Binge-eating disorder (BED), the most prevalent eating disorder, is associated strongly with obesity and functional impairments. Few evidence-based treatments for BED exist; a pharmacotherapy effective in reducing both binge eating and weight needs to be identified. This placebo-controlled double-blind pilot RCT evaluated the acute effects of naltrexone + bupropion (NB) on BED with obesity and examined the longer-term effects through 6-month follow-up after the discontinuation of medication.

METHODS

Twenty-two adult patients with BED were randomized to receive 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with fixed-dose NB (naltrexone + bupropion XL 50/300 mg) or placebo. Independent (blinded) researcher-clinicians evaluated patients at major outcome time points (baseline, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up after the treatment period); patients were also evaluated for the tracking of course/tolerability throughout treatments and at 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes from baseline in binge-eating frequency and percentage weight. Secondary outcomes were changes in eating-disorder psychopathology and depression.

FINDINGS

A total of 22 patients were enrolled (86.4% women; mean age, 50.4 years), with 77.3% of patients completing treatments; completion rates (NB, 83.3%; placebo, 70.0%) and adverse events did not differ significantly between NB and placebo. Analyses revealed significant reductions from baseline in binge-eating, eating-disorder psychopathology, depression, and weight during treatment, but these changes with NB did not differ significantly from those with placebo. The percentage of patients who attained 3% weight loss was significantly greater with NB than with placebo (45.5% vs 0%); weight-loss and binge-eating reductions were significantly correlated in the group that received NB. At 6-month follow-up, outcomes remained improved relative to baseline, with no significant differences between NB and placebo.

IMPLICATIONS

The findings from this pilot RCT suggest that NB was well-tolerated in these patients with BED and comorbid obesity. Most outcomes were not statistically different between NB and placebo. A larger-scale, adequately powered RCT is needed for determining the efficacy of NB in the treatment of BED. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02317744.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Behavioral Weight Loss and Stepped Care for Binge-Eating Disorder: 12-Month Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine longer-term effects of behavioral weight loss (BWL) and Stepped Care for binge-eating disorder and obesity through 12-month follow-up after completing treatments.

METHODS

A total of 191 patients with binge-eating disorder/obesity were randomized to 6 months of BWL (n = 39) or Stepped Care (n = 152). Within Stepped Care, patients began BWL (1 month), treatment responders continued BWL, nonresponders switched to cognitive behavioral therapy, and all were randomized (double-blind) to weight-loss medication or placebo (5 months). Patients were independently assessed throughout/after treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

Intent-to-treat analyses of remission rates revealed that BWL and Stepped Care did not differ significantly at posttreatment (74.4% vs. 66.5%), 6-month follow-up (38.2% vs. 33.3%), or 12-month follow-up (44.7% vs. 41.0%). Mixed models of binge-eating frequency indicated significant reductions through posttreatment but no significant changes or differences between BWL and Stepped Care during follow-up. Mixed models revealed significant weight loss with no differences between BWL and Stepped Care (5.1% vs. 5.8%) at posttreatment and significant time effects (larger percent weight loss at 6-month than at 12-month follow-up) with no differences between BWL and Stepped Care (-5.1% vs. -5.2% and -3.4% vs. -5.0%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Binge-eating improvements and weight loss produced by BWL and adaptive Stepped Care did not differ significantly 12 months after completing treatments.

Meta-analysis on the long-term effectiveness of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorder

OBJECTIVE

Long-term effectiveness is a critical aspect of the clinical utility of a treatment; however, a meta-analytic evaluation of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorder (BED), including weight loss treatments, is outstanding. This meta-analysis sought to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term effectiveness in diverse treatments for BED regarding a range of clinically relevant outcomes.

METHOD

Based on a systematic search up to February 2018, 114 published and unpublished randomized-controlled (RCTs), nonrandomized, and uncontrolled treatment studies, totaling 8,862 individuals with BED (DSM-IV, DSM-5), were identified and analyzed using within-group random-effect modeling.

RESULTS

Effectiveness (regarding binge-eating episodes and abstinence, eating disorder and general psychopathology) up to 12 months following treatment was demonstrated for psychotherapy, structured self-help treatment, and combined treatment, while the results regarding body weight reduction were inconsistent. These results were confirmed in sensitivity analyses with RCTs on the most common treatments-cognitive-behavioral therapy and self-help treatment based on this approach. Follow-up intervals longer than 12 months were rarely reported, mostly supporting the long-term effectiveness of psychotherapy. Few follow-up data were available for pharmacotherapy, and behavioral and self-help weight loss treatment, while follow-up data were lacking for pharmacological and surgical weight loss treatment. Study quality varied widely.

DISCUSSION

This comprehensive meta-analysis demonstrated the medium-term effectiveness of psychotherapy, structured self-help treatment, and combined treatment for patients with BED, and supported the long-term effectiveness of psychotherapy. The results were derived from uncontrolled comparisons over time. Further long-term high quality research on psychological and medical treatments for BED is required.

Binge eating and binge-eating disorder in Black women: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Although several effective behavioral treatments for binge-eating disorder (BED) exist, there are racial disparities in treatment access, with African-Americans and/or Black individuals having some of the lowest rates of access to care. Little is known about the experience and treatment of binge eating (BE) and BED among Black women.

METHOD

This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, synthesizes information related to BE and BED in Black women.

RESULTS

A total of N = 38 studies met our eligibility criteria. We did not identify any systematic risk of bias across studies. The majority of included studies used cross-sectional survey methodology, and relied on interview (EDE) and self-report measures (particularly the Binge Eating Scale, BES) for the assessment of BE. Outcomes were inconsistently measured across trials, and there are limited data on the results of evidence-based treatments for BE/BED in Black women.

DISCUSSION

Although Black women have similar or higher rates of BE than White women, most research on BE and BED has focused on White women, with Black individuals underrepresented in clinical trials. Future research should examine evidence-based treatments to prevent and treat BED in this population.

OBJETIVO

Aunque existen varios tratamientos conductuales que son efectivos para el Trastorno de Atracones (BED, por sus siglas en inglés), existen disparidades raciales en el acceso a tratamiento, con individuos Afroamericanos y/o personas de color teniendo algunas de las tasas más bajas de acceso al cuidado de la salud. Se sabe muy poco acerca de la experiencia y tratamiento del comer en atracones (BE, por sus siglas en inglés) y BED entre mujeres afroamericanas y/o de color. MÉTODO: Esta revisión sistemática, realizada bajo lineamientos de las guías PRISMA, sintetiza información relacionada con BE y BED en mujeres afroamericanas y/o de color.

RESULTADOS

Un total de N = 38 estudios cumplieron con nuestros criterios de elegibilidad. No identificamos ningún riesgo sistemático de sesgo entre los estudios. La mayoría de los estudios incluidos utilizaron una metodología de encuesta transversal y se basaron en la entrevista (EDE) y las medidas de autoinforme (en particular, la Binge Eating Scale, BES) para la evaluación de BE. Los resultados se midieron de manera inconsistente entre los ensayos, y hay datos limitados sobre los resultados de los tratamientos basados en la evidencia para BE/BED en mujeres afroamericanas y/o de color. DISCUSIÓN: Aunque las mujeres afroamericanas y/o de color tienen tasas similares o más altas de BE que las mujeres blancas, la mayoría de las investigaciones sobre BE y BED se han centrado en las mujeres blancas, con individuos afroamericanos y/o de color subrepresentados en ensayos clínicos. La investigación futura debería examinar los tratamientos basados en la evidencia para prevenir y tratar el BED en esta población.

Randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of adaptive "SMART" stepped-care treatment for adults with binge-eating disorder comorbid with obesity

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested effectiveness of adaptive SMART stepped-care treatment to "standard" behavioral weight loss (BWL [standard]) for patients with binge-eating disorder (BED) and obesity. One hundred ninety-one patients were randomly assigned to 6 months of BWL (standard; n = 39) or stepped care (n = 152). Within stepped care, patients started with BWL for 1 month; treatment responders continued BWL, whereas nonresponders switched to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and patients receiving stepped care were additionally randomized to weight-loss medication or placebo (double-blind) for the remaining 5 months. Independent assessments were performed reliably at baseline, throughout treatment, and posttreatment. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses of remission rates (zero binges/month) revealed that BWL (standard) and stepped care did not differ (74.4% vs. 66.5%); within stepped care, remission rates ranged 40.0% to 83.3%, with medication significantly superior to placebo (overall) and among nonresponders switched to CBT. Mixed-models analyses of binge-eating frequency revealed significant time effects, but BWL (standard) and stepped care did not differ; within stepped care, medication was significantly superior to placebo and among nonresponders switched to CBT. Mixed models revealed significant weight loss, but BWL (standard; 5.1% weight-loss) and stepped care (5.8% weight-loss) did not differ; within stepped care (range = 0.4% to 8.8% weight-loss), medication was significantly superior to placebo and among both responders continued on BWL and nonresponders switched to CBT. In summary, BWL (standard) and adaptive stepped-care treatments produced robust improvements in binge eating and weight loss in patients with BED/obesity. Within adaptive stepped care, weight-loss medication enhanced outcomes for BED/obesity. Implications for clinical practice and future adaptive designs are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Health Coach-Delivered Smartphone-Guided Self-Help With Standard Care for Adults With Binge Eating

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown efficacy in the treatment of eating disorders. The authors conducted a randomized controlled telemedicine trial of CBT-guided self-help (CBT-GSH) assisted with a smartphone app, Noom Monitor, for binge eating with or without purging. They hypothesized that coach-delivered CBT-GSH telemedicine sessions plus Noom Monitor would yield greater reductions in symptoms of binge eating, purging, and eating disorders compared with standard care.

METHODS

Fifty-two-week outcomes for CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor (N=114) were compared with outcomes for standard care (N=111) among members of an integrated health care system in the Pacific Northwest. Patients in the health system who met inclusion criteria were ≥18 years old, had a body mass index ≥18.5, met criteria for DSM-5 binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, had 12 months of continuous health care enrollment in Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and had a personal smartphone. Participants received eight CBT-GSH telemedicine sessions over 12 weeks administered by health coaches, and outcomes were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52. The use of available treatment offered within the Kaiser Permanente health care system was permitted for participants assigned to standard care.

RESULTS

Participants who received CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor reported significant reductions in objective binge-eating days (β=-0.66, 95% CI=-1.06, -0.25; Cohen's d=-1.46, 95% CI=-4.63, -1.09) and achieved higher rates of remission (56.7% compared with 30%; number needed to treat=3.74) at 52 weeks compared with participants in standard care, none of whom received any eating disorder treatment during the intervention period (baseline and weeks 1-12). Similar patterns emerged for compensatory behaviors (vomiting, use of laxatives, and excessive exercise; 76.3% compared with 56.8%; number needed to treat=5.11), eating disorder symptoms (body shape, weight, eating concerns, and dietary restraint), and clinical impairment (Cohen's d=-10.07, -2.15).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor delivered via telemedicine by routine-practice health coaches in a nonacademic health care system yields reductions in symptoms and impairment over 52 weeks compared with standard care.

Testing the validity and clinical utility of the severity specifiers for binge-eating disorder for predicting treatment outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To test the validity and clinical utility of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) severity specifiers for binge-eating disorder (BED) in predicting treatment outcomes.

METHOD

Participants (N = 521) were patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) at 1 medical center testing treatments for BED; data were aggregated from RCTs testing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral weight loss (BWL), and/or multimodal (i.e., CBT or BWL plus pharmacotherapy) treatment. Participants were categorized according to DSM-5 severity specifiers for BED: "mild" (n = 273; 52.5%), "moderate" (n = 182; 34.9%), and "severe/extreme" (n = 58; 11.1%). Participants had their weight and height measured and were assessed using established interviews and self-report measures at baseline, throughout treatment, and post treatment.

RESULTS

Mixed models revealed that severity category did not significantly predict treatment response. However, there were main effects of BED severity category: "Severe/extreme" BED had greater binge-eating frequency and had greater global eating-disorder psychopathology than did "mild" BED across all time points. "Severe/extreme" BED was less likely to have remission from binge eating than was "mild" BED. Weight loss and depression scores did not significantly differ by severity category.

CONCLUSION

In a large series of treatment-seeking individuals with BED aggregated across RCTs at 1 medical center testing psychological and pharmacological treatments for BED, DSM-5 severity specifiers for BED had limited validity and utility predicting response to treatments. Future research is needed to identify more robust severity indicators with clinical utility to inform future DSM revisions and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining sex as a predictor and moderator of treatment outcomes for binge-eating disorder: Analysis of aggregated randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether sex predicted and/or moderated treatment outcomes among men and women who participated in binge-eating disorder (BED) randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHOD

Data were aggregated from RCTs performed at one medical center. RCTs tested cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral weight loss, multimodal treatment, and/or control conditions. Participants were 660 adults, both men (n = 170) and women (n = 490), with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-fourth edition (DSM-IV)-defined BED. Doctoral-level research-clinicians assessed participants using structured interviews and established self-report measures of eating-disorder psychopathology and depression, and measured height and weight. Assessments occurred at baseline, throughout treatment, and at post-treatment.

RESULTS

Sex was not a significant moderator of any treatment outcomes. Mixed models revealed sex had a main effect: men had lower eating-disorder psychopathology and lost more weight than women over the course of treatment.

DISCUSSION

Both epidemiological and RCT studies report disparities in treatment-seeking between men and women with BED. Despite this, men have comparable or better treatment outcomes compared with women, including significantly greater weight loss. Thus, disseminating evidence-based BED treatments is promising for both men and women. Additional research is necessary, however, to understand treatment effects-including other predictors and moderators of outcomes-across diverse providers, treatment settings, and patient groups.

Meta-analysis and Approach of the Real Impact of Anorexigenic Drugs in the Obesity in Humans: The Last Five Years of the Randomized Studies

INTRODUCTION

Obesity shows a multifactorial disease and presents a serious public health problem, with an alarming epidemic character. According to NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) from 2015 to 2016, 39.6% of American adults and 18.5% of young people were obese and 7.7% of adults and 5.6% of young people had severe obesity. Brazil ranks fifth in the world ranking, with about 18 million people reaching up to 70 million overweight individuals. Despite shortterm weight loss with diet and exercise, weight regain continues to be a concern. Anti-obesity drugs, such as Sibutramine (SIB), Phentermine (PHEN), Fenproporex (FEN), Mazindol (MAZ), Amfepramone (AMFE) and Orlistat (ORL) may play a role in weight reduction in patients whose condition is refractory to non- and maintenance of weight loss.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review followed by meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials over the past five years to explore the efficacy and safety of anorexigenic drugs for weight reduction and consequent treatment of obesity.

METHODS

The search strategy in MEDLINE / Pubmed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect Journals (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), OneFile (Gale) is as follows : - search for mesh terms (Sibutramine, Phentermine, Fenproporex, Mazindol, Amfepramone , Orlistat, Weight loss, Safety), and the use of booleans "and" between mesh terms and "or" among historical findings.

RESULTS

It was observed that in the last five years of randomized studies no significant general complications were found, with only 5.7%. The mean overall weight loss was 6.18 (± 2.8) kg in the mean time of 12 months. The overall success rate among these drugs was 80.18%. The p-value values did not present a significant statistical difference, being p <0.05 within each drug group analyzed, for both weight and success rates.

CONCLUSION

The scientific findings of randomized studies on the use of anorexigenic drugs to treat obesity have shown safety and efficiency in the last five years, with a reasonable weight loss and no significant complications.

Strategies to reduce attrition in weight loss interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The primary objective of the study was to identify the effect of intervention strategies on attrition within a weight loss programme among adults aged 18 to 65 years. The secondary objective of the study was to assess the impact of such intervention strategies among female-only weight loss programmes. The literature search was performed in Ovid (CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane [Cochrane Database of Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Methodology Register], and PsycINFO). Studies must have identified weight loss as the main aim and compared the primary weight loss programme alone (control) with the primary weight loss programme coupled with an additional intervention strategy (intervention). Papers must have had a mean participant age between 18 and 65 years and available in English. Fifty-seven trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Strategies that successfully reduced attrition included the incorporation of financial incentives (n = 8), a multicomponent approach (n = 13), and use of self-monitoring technology (n = 4). The majority of studies were of low to moderate methodological quality because of insufficient reporting. A limited number of female-only trials were found (n = 13). Implementation of financial incentives, multicomponent interventions, and self-monitoring technology help reduce attrition among adult weight loss programmes. Further studies are required to identify the impact of intervention strategies on attrition in women.

Examining race as a predictor and moderator of treatment outcomes for binge-eating disorder: Analysis of aggregated randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether race predicted or moderated response to treatments for binge-eating disorder (BED).

METHOD

Participants were 592 adults (n = 113 Black; n = 479 White) with DSM-IV-defined BED who participated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) at 1 medical center. Data were aggregated from RCTs for BED testing cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral weight loss, multimodal treatment, and/or control conditions. Participants had weight and height measured and were assessed using established interviews and self-report measures at baseline, throughout treatment, and post treatment.

RESULTS

Race did not significantly moderate treatment outcomes. Mixed models revealed a main effect of race: Black participants had fewer binge-eating episodes and lower depression than White participants across time points. Race also had a main effect in generalized estimating equations with a significantly greater proportion of Black participants achieving binge-eating remission than White participants. Race did not predict percent weight loss, but a significantly lower proportion of Black participants attained 5% weight loss than White participants. Race did not significantly predict global eating-disorder severity.

CONCLUSION

Despite disparities in treatment-seeking reported in epidemiological and RCT studies, Black individuals appear to have comparable or better treatment outcomes in BED treatment research compared with White individuals, except they were less likely to attain 5% weight loss at post treatment. This suggests that disseminating evidence-based treatments for BED among diverse populations holds promise and treatments may not require further adaptation prior to dissemination. Implementation research is needed to test treatment effectiveness across diverse providers, settings, and patient groups to improve understanding of potential predictors and moderators. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Disordered Eating Among Individuals with Excess Weight: a Review of Recent Research

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to examine different forms of disordered eating among individuals with excess weight, including their rates, correlates, and psychosocial treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS

Binge eating/binge eating disorder, loss of control eating, emotional eating, and food addiction are all fairly prevalent among individuals with excess weight. They appear to share many of the same correlates, including broader eating disorder psychopathology, body/shape/weight concerns, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and third-wave (e.g., acceptance, mindfulness) therapies appear effective in improving binge eating, loss of control eating, emotional eating, associated features (e.g., weight and shape concerns), and psychological distress (e.g., depression). Certain forms of disordered eating are elevated among individuals with excess weight, and psychosocial interventions have been found effective in improving symptomatology. Empirical research examining the efficacy of treatments for food addiction is lacking, and greatly needed given both its rate and controversy.

I didn't want them to see: Secretive eating among adults with binge-eating disorder

OBJECTIVE

Secretive eating is characterized by eating furtively and concealing the act and evidence of eating. Among youth, secretive eating is common and associated with eating-disorder psychopathology. Yet, secretive eating among adults, including adults with eating disorders, is relatively unexplored.

METHOD

We assessed secretive eating among treatment-seeking adults with binge-eating disorder (BED) and examined demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with and without secretive eating. Patients (N = 755) were assessed for BED, eating-disorder psychopathology, and depression by trained doctoral clinicians using established interviews and self-report measures; height and weight were measured.

RESULTS

Overall, 54% of patients reported secretive eating distinct (i.e., separate) from objective binge-eating episodes (OBEs). A significantly greater proportion of women than men endorsed secretive eating; age, race, and education did not significantly differ. Patients with and without secretive eating did not significantly differ in body mass index (BMI), OBEs, overeating episodes, or restraint. Patients with secretive eating endorsed significantly more subjective binge-eating episodes, greater eating concerns, shape concerns, and weight concerns and had higher depression scores than patients without secretive eating. Patients with secretive eating were significantly more likely to have overvaluation of shape/weight than patients without secretive eating. Results remained the same after adjusting for sex, race, and BMI.

DISCUSSION

Findings suggest that, among patients with BED, secretive eating reflects greater eating-disorder psychopathology but not increased frequency of OBEs or greater BMI. Understanding secretive eating can to inform determination of eating-disorder severity contribute to treatment formulation and planning.

Psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments for binge eating disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically review the efficacy of psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments for binge eating disorder (BED).

Method

Systematic search and meta-analysis.

Results

We found 45 unique studies with low/medium risk of bias, and moderate support for the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and CBT guided self-help (with moderate quality of evidence), and modest support for interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and lisdexamfetamine (with low quality of evidence) in the treatment of adults with BED in terms of cessation of or reduction in the frequency of binge eating. The results on weight loss were disappointing. Only lisdexamfetamine showed a very modest effect on weight loss (low quality of evidence). While there is limited support for the long-term effect of psychological treatments, we have currently no data to ascertain the long-term effect of drug treatments. Some undesired side effects are more common in drug treatment compared to placebo, while the side effects of psychological treatments are unknown. Direct comparisons between pharmaceutical and psychological treatments are lacking as well as data to generalize these results to adolescents.

Conclusion

We found moderate support for the efficacy of CBT and guided self-help for the treatment of BED. However, IPT, SSRI, and lisdexamfetamine received only modest support in terms of cessation of or reduction in the frequency of binge eating. The lack of long-term follow-ups is alarming, especially with regard to medication. Long-term follow-ups, standardized assessments including measures of quality of life, and the study of underrepresented populations should be a priority for future research.

Form and formulation: Examining the distinctiveness of body image constructs in treatment-seeking patients with binge-eating disorder

OBJECTIVE

Body-image disturbance is a core aspect of eating disorders, yet the clinical manifestations of individuals' weight and shape concerns are complex, vary considerably, and are poorly understood by clinicians and researchers. This study aimed to distinguish different aspects of body-image disturbance-including weight/shape dissatisfaction, weight/shape overvaluation, weight/shape preoccupation, and fear of weight gain-in patients with binge-eating disorder (BED). Examining how each specific body image construct relates to biopsychosocial features of BED could contribute to the refinement of conceptualization and treatment planning.

METHOD

The current study assessed body-image disturbance and eating-disorder psychopathology in 748 treatment-seeking patients with BED using established investigator-based interviews reliably administered by doctoral clinicians.

RESULTS

The 4 body image constructs, although related to one another, showed some important similarities in associations with biopsychosocial clinical features, as well as some important distinctions. The relation between overvaluation and self-esteem was, as conceptualized, more strongly negative than for other body image variables, and preoccupation was more associated than other body image variables with eating concerns. Biopsychosocial features of BED were associated with different forms of body-image disturbance, but associations of body image variables with body mass index (BMI) were not significant and associations with binge-eating frequency did not differ across body image variables.

CONCLUSION

Manifestations of body-image disturbance in BED are complex and understanding the distinctions between different body image constructs can contribute to treatment formulation. (PsycINFO Database Record

Comparing men and women with binge-eating disorder and co-morbid obesity

OBJECTIVE

This study examined differences in clinical presentation of men and women with binge-eating disorder (BED) who participated in treatment research at a medical-school based program.

METHOD

Participants were 682 adults (n = 182 men, n = 500 women) with DSM-IV-defined BED. Doctoral-level research clinicians assessed eating-disorder psychopathology, including BED diagnosis, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders (SCID) and Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview. Research clinicians measured height and weight and participants completed a battery of established self-report measures.

RESULTS

Men had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than women; women had significantly higher eating-disorder psychopathology (EDE scales and global score) and depression than men. Differences in eating-disorder psychopathology and depression remained higher for women than men after adjusting for race/ethnicity and BMI. Frequency of binge-eating episodes, subjective binge-eating episodes, and overeating episodes did not differ significantly by sex. Women had younger ages of onset for dieting and binge-eating behaviors than men but ages of onset for obesity and BED did not significantly differ between men and women.

DISCUSSION

There are some sex differences in clinical presentation and age-of-onset timeline of adults with BED. Men and women develop obesity and BED (at diagnostic threshold) around the same age but women begin dieting and binge-eating behaviors earlier than men. At presentation for treatment for BED, men and women did not differ in binge-eating frequency and although men and women differed significantly on BMI and eating-disorder psychopathology, the magnitude of these differences was quite modest.

Loss-of-control eating after bariatric/sleeve gastrectomy surgery: Similar to binge-eating disorder despite differences in quantities

OBJECTIVE

To characterize loss-of-control eating following sleeve gastrectomy surgery by comparing relevant patient groups.

METHOD

Participants were 431 adults seeking treatment for eating/weight concerns categorized into one of four groups: 1) overweight/obesity (OW/OB), 2) binge-eating disorder (BED), 3) "Bariatric Binge-Eating Disorder" (Bar-BED) defined as meeting all criteria for DSM-5 binge-eating disorder, except for the requirement of an unusually large amount of food, following sleeve gastrectomy surgery, and 4) "Bariatric Loss-of-Control Eating" (Bar-LOC Only), defined as experiencing at least once weekly loss-of-control eating episodes during the past month without the other associated clinical features and distress that characterize Bar-BED, following sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

RESULTS

The Bar-BED and BED groups reported comparable levels of overall eating-disorder and depressive symptoms, and these levels were significantly higher than those levels reported by the OW/OB and Bar-LOC Only groups. Adjusting for age, body mass index, and race did not change the overall pattern of findings.

CONCLUSION

"Bariatric Binge-Eating Disorder" shares clinical features of DSM-5 binge-eating disorder, regardless of the quantity of food consumed. Careful assessment of loss-of-control eating, associated behavioral features, and distress is warranted following surgery. More broadly, our findings highlight the importance of assessing loss-of-control eating across patient groups with obesity.

A systematic review and narrative synthesis of interventions for uncomplicated obesity: weight loss, well-being and impact on eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Most weight loss research focuses on weight as the primary outcome, often to the exclusion of other physiological or psychological measures. This study aims to provide a holistic evaluation of the effects from weight loss interventions for individuals with obesity by examining the physiological, psychological and eating disorders outcomes from these interventions.

METHODS

Databases Medline, PsycInfo and Cochrane Library (2011-2016) were searched for randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews of obesity treatments (dietary, exercise, behavioural, psychological, pharmacological or surgical). Data extracted included study features, risk of bias, study outcomes, and an assessment of treatment impacts on physical, psychological or eating disorder outcomes.

RESULTS

From 3628 novel records, 134 studies met all inclusion criteria and were evaluated in this review. Lifestyle interventions had the strongest evidence base as a first-line approach, with escalation to pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery in more severe or complicated cases. Quality of life was the most common psychological outcome measure, and improved in all cases where it was assessed, across all intervention types. Behavioural, psychological and lifestyle interventions for weight loss led to improvements in cognitive restraint, control over eating and binge eating, while bariatric surgery led to improvements in eating behaviour and body image that were not sustained over the long-term.

DISCUSSION

Numerous treatment strategies have been trialled to assist people to lose weight and many of these are effective over the short-term. Quality of life, and to a lesser degree depression, anxiety and psychosocial function, often improve alongside weight loss. Weight loss is also associated with improvements in eating disorder psychopathology and related measures, although overall, eating disorder outcomes are rarely assessed. Further research and between-sector collaboration is required to address the significant overlap in risk factors, diagnoses and treatment outcomes between obesity and eating disorders.

Combining Pharmacological and Psychological Treatments for Binge Eating Disorder: Current Status, Limitations, and Future Directions

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating and marked distress about binge eating without the extreme compensatory behaviors for weight control that characterize other eating disorders. BED is prevalent, associated strongly with obesity, and is associated with heightened levels of psychological, psychiatric, and medical concerns. This article provides an overview of randomized controlled treatments for combined psychological and pharmacological treatment of BED to inform current clinical practice and future treatment research. In contrast to the prevalence and significance of BED, to date, limited research has been performed on combining psychological and pharmacological treatments for BED to enhance outcomes. Our review here found that combining certain medications with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions produces superior outcomes to pharmacotherapy only but does not substantially improve outcomes achieved with CBT/BWL only. One medication (orlistat) has improved weight losses with CBT/BWL albeit minimally, and only one medication (topiramate) has enhanced reductions achieved with CBT in both binge eating and weight. Implications for future research are discussed.

Recognizing Binge-Eating Disorder in the Clinical Setting: A Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

Review the clinical skills needed to recognize, diagnose, and manage binge-eating disorder (BED) in a primary care setting.

DATA SOURCES

A PubMed search of English-language publications (January 1, 2008-December 11, 2014) was conducted using the term binge-eating disorder. Relevant articles known to the authors were also included.

STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION

Publications focusing on preclinical topics (eg, characterization of receptors and neurotransmitter systems) without discussing clinical relevance were excluded. A total of 101 publications were included in this review.

RESULTS

Although BED is the most prevalent eating disorder, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. BED can be associated with medical (eg, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome) and psychiatric (eg, depression and anxiety) comorbidities that, if left untreated, can impair quality of life and functionality. Primary care physicians may find diagnosing and treating BED challenging because of insufficient knowledge of its new diagnostic criteria and available treatment options. Furthermore, individuals with BED may be reluctant to seek treatment because of shame, embarrassment, and a lack of awareness of the disorder. Several short assessment tools are available to screen for BED in primary care settings. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy should focus on reducing binge-eating behavior, thereby reducing medical and psychiatric complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Overcoming primary care physician- and patient-related barriers is critical to accurately diagnose and appropriately treat BED. Primary care physicians should take an active role in the initial recognition and assessment of suspected BED based on case-finding indicators (eg, eating habits and being overweight), the initial treatment selection, and the long-term follow-up of patients who meet DSM-5 BED diagnostic criteria.

Binge Eating among Women Veterans in Primary Care: Comorbidities and Treatment Priorities

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the clinical profile and treatment priorities of women with binge eating disorder (BED), a diagnosis new to the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. We identified comorbidities and patients' treatment priorities, because these may inform implementation of clinical services.

METHODS

Data were collected from women veteran primary care patients. Analyses compared those who screened positive for BED (BED+), and those without any binge eating symptoms (BED-).

RESULTS

Frequencies of comorbid medical and psychological disorders were high in the BED+ group. The BED+ group's self-identified most common treatment priorities were mood concerns (72.2%), weight loss (66.7%), and body image/food issues (50%). Among those with obesity, a greater proportion of the BED+ group indicated body image/food issues was their top treatment priority (12.9% vs. 2.8%; p < .01), suggesting that these patients may be more apt to seek treatment beyond weight management for their problematic eating patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Women primary care patients with BED demonstrate high medical and psychological complexity; their subjective treatment priorities often match objective needs. These findings may inform the development of targeted BED screening practices for women with obesity in primary care settings, and the eventual adoption of patient-centered BED treatment resources.

Overview of the treatment of binge eating disorder

We performed a qualitative review of treatment studies of binge eating disorder (BED), focusing on randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Limited effectiveness has been demonstrated for self-help strategies, and substantial effectiveness has been shown for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). CBT and IPT may each be more effective than behavior weight loss therapy (BWLT) for reducing binge eating over the long term. The stimulant pro-drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of BED in adults based on 2 pivotal RCTs. Topiramate also decreases binge eating behavior, but its use is limited by its adverse event profile. Antidepressants may be modestly effective over the short term for reducing binge eating behavior and comorbid depressive symptoms, but are not associated with clinically significant weight loss. A RCT presented in abstract form suggests that intranasal naloxone may decrease time spent binge eating. There is no RCT of obesity surgery in BED, but many patients with BED seek and receive such surgery. While some studies suggest patients with BED and obesity do just as well as patients with obesity alone, other studies suggest that patients with BED have more post-operative complications, less weight loss, and more weight regain. This evidence suggests that patients with BED would benefit from receiving highly individualized treatment.

Horizons in the Pharmacotherapy of Obesity

Obesity drugs have had a chequered history. In the recent past, only the low efficacy, pancreatic lipase inhibitor orlistat was available worldwide and it was little used. The 5HT2C agonist, lorcaserin, and two combinations of old drugs have been approved in the United States but not in Europe. The diabetes drug liraglutide has been approved in both the US and Europe and seems likely to be most widely accepted. In view of regulators' caution in approving obesity drugs, some (like beloranib) may initially be progressed for niche obesity markets. New drug targets have been identified in brown adipose tissue with the aim of not only activating thermogenesis but also increasing the capacity for thermogenesis in this tissue. Attempts are being made to match the efficacy of bariatric surgery by mimicking multiple gut hormones. Unapproved pharmacotherapies are tempting for some patients. Others remain optimistic about more conventional routes to pharmacotherapy.

Medication Use and Metabolic Syndrome Among Overweight/Obese Patients With and Without Binge-Eating Disorder in a Primary Care Sample

OBJECTIVE

To examine metabolic factors among overweight/obese individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED) and non-binge-eating overweight/obese (NBO) patients recruited from primary care and to examine and compare medication use by these groups.

METHOD

Participants were 102 adults recruited for a weight loss study within primary care centers who were assessed for BED (28 [38%] met DSM-5 BED criteria). Participants completed a medication log, had physiologic measurements taken, and were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome using 2 methods. Data were collected between February 2012 and October 2012.

RESULTS

The BED group had a higher mean body mass index (BMI), a higher pulse, and a larger waist circumference than the NBO group. Of the sample, 65% reported current medication use (prescription and/or over-the-counter medications): 19.6% took 3 to 4 medications and 15.7% took ≥ 5 medications. Aside from vitamin and over-the-counter allergy pill use, there were no differences in medication use between BED and NBO patients. Full metabolic syndrome (≥ 3 criteria met) was present in 31.5% of the sample when using objective measurement alone, and 39.1% of the sample when defined by objective measurement and pharmacologic management. No significant differences were observed regardless of definition.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite higher BMI, pulse, and waist circumference, the current sample of BED patients in primary care did not present with poorer metabolic health than NBO patients.

Pharmacological approaches to the management of binge eating disorder

In the USA, binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, with a lifetime prevalence of ~3.5 % in adult women, 2.0 % in adult men, and 1.6 % in adolescents. BED is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating that are accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating and result in marked psychological distress. BED is highly co-morbid with obesity and with depression and other psychiatric conditions, and it is associated with substantial role impairment. Currently, there are no US FDA-approved pharmacological treatments for BED. Animal and human studies implicate underlying dysregulation in dopamine, opioid, acetylcholine, and serotonin neurocircuitry within brain reward regions in the pathogenesis and maintenance of BED. To date, the efficacy of various agents that target these and other neurotransmitter systems involved in motivated feeding behavior, mood regulation, and impulse control have been investigated in the treatment of BED. Several antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents have demonstrated efficacy in reducing binge eating frequency, but only in limited cases have these effects resulted in patients achieving abstinence, which is the primary goal of treatment; they also range from less (fluvoxamine) to more (topiramate) effective in achieving weight loss that is both clinically meaningful and significantly greater than placebo. Collectively, the literature on pharmacological treatment approaches to BED is limited in that very few agents have been studied in multiple, confirmatory trials with adequate follow up, and almost none have been evaluated in large patient samples that are diverse with respect to age, sex, and ethnicity. In addition, prior trials have not adequately addressed, through study design, the high placebo response commonly observed in this patient population. Several novel agents are in various phases of testing, and recent animal studies focusing on glutamate-signaling circuits linking the amygdala to the lateral hypothalamus offer new avenues for exploration and potential therapeutic development. Studies of newly FDA-approved medications for long-term obesity treatment and further explorations of dietary supplements and neutraceuticals with appetite- and mood-altering properties may also be worthwhile.

Pharmacological treatment of binge eating disorder: update review and synthesis

INTRODUCTION

Binge eating disorder (BED), a formal eating disorder diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is characterized by recurrent binge eating, marked distress about binge eating, and the absence of extreme weight compensatory behaviors. BED is more prevalent than other eating disorders, with broader distribution across age, sex and ethnic/racial groups, and is associated strongly with obesity and heightened risk for psychiatric/medical comorbidities.

AREAS COVERED

This article provides an overview of pharmacotherapy for BED with a focus on Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The search with minimal methodological inclusion requirements yielded 22 RCTs investigating several different medication classes; most were pharmacotherapy-only trials with 8 trials testing combination approaches with psychological-behavioral methods.

EXPERT OPINION

The evidence base regarding pharmacotherapy for BED remains limited, although this year the FDA approved the first medication (i.e., lisdexamfetamine dimesylate; LDX) specifically for moderate-to-severe BED. Data from RCTs suggest certain medications are superior to placebos for reducing binge eating over the short term; almost no data exist regarding longer-term effects of pharmacotherapy for BED. Except for topiramate, which significantly reduces both binge eating and weight, tested medications yield minimal weight loss and LDX is not indicated for weight loss. Psychological-behavioral and combination approaches with certain medications yield superior outcomes to pharmacotherapy-only acutely and over longer-term follow-up.

Psychopharmacologic treatment of eating disorders: emerging findings

Psychopharmacologic treatment is playing a greater role in the management of patients with eating disorders. In this paper, we review randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other eating disorders over the past 3 years. Fluoxetine remains the only medication approved for an eating disorder, that being BN. RCTs of antipsychotics in AN have had mixed results; the only agent with some evidence of efficacy is olanzapine. One study suggests dronabinol may induce weight gain in AN. Preliminary studies suggest lack of efficacy of alprazolam, dehydroepiandrosterone, or physiologic estrogen replacement in AN; erythromycin in BN; and the opioid antagonist ALKS-33 in BED. In BED with obesity or overweight, bupropion may cause mild weight loss without seizures, and chromium may improve glucose regulation. Also in BED, three RCTs suggest the stimulant prodrug lisdexamfetamine may reduce binge eating episodes, and another RCT suggests intranasal naloxone may decrease time spent binge eating. There remains a disconnection between the size of eating disorders as a public health problem and the lack of pharmacotherapy research of these conditions.

Disseminating evidence-based psychological treatments for eating disorders

The research-practice gap is of concern in the treatment of eating disorders. Despite the existence of empirically supported treatments, few receive them. The barriers to wider dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatment include clinician attitudes towards such treatments and the lack of sufficient numbers of suitably trained therapists to provide treatment. In this review we discuss these barriers in the context of the wider issue of the dissemination and implementation of psychological treatments and review the research with regard to the treatment of eating disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on examining recent efforts to expand the availability and reach of treatments by making treatment delivery and training more scalable. We highlight promising developments and areas where further research is needed.

Predicting meaningful outcomes to medication and self-help treatments for binge-eating disorder in primary care: The significance of early rapid response

OBJECTIVE

We examined rapid response among obese patients with binge-eating disorder (BED) in a randomized clinical trial testing antiobesity medication and self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy (shCBT), alone and in combination, in primary-care settings.

METHOD

One hundred four obese patients with BED were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: sibutramine, placebo, shCBT + sibutramine, or shCBT + placebo. Treatments were delivered by generalist primary-care physicians and the medications were given double-blind. Independent assessments were performed by trained and monitored doctoral research clinicians monthly throughout treatment, posttreatment (4 months), and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups (i.e., 16 months after randomization). Rapid response, defined as ≥65% reduction in binge eating by the fourth treatment week, was used to predict outcomes.

RESULTS

Rapid response characterized 47% of patients, was unrelated to demographic and baseline clinical characteristics, and was significantly associated, prospectively, with remission from binge eating at posttreatment (51% vs. 9% for nonrapid responders), 6-month (53% vs. 23.6%), and 12-month (46.9% vs. 23.6%) follow-ups. Mixed-effects model analyses revealed that rapid response was significantly associated with greater decreases in binge-eating or eating-disorder psychopathology, depression, and percent weight loss.

DISCUSSION

Our findings, based on a diverse obese patient group receiving medication and shCBT for BED in primary-care settings, indicate that patients who have a rapid response achieve good clinical outcomes through 12-month follow-ups after ending treatment. Rapid response represents a strong prognostic indicator of clinically meaningful outcomes, even in low-intensity medication and self-help interventions. Rapid response has important clinical implications for stepped-care treatment models for BED.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00537810 (PsycINFO Database Record

High-frequency binge eating predicts weight gain among veterans receiving behavioral weight loss treatments

OBJECTIVE

To assess for the frequency of binge eating behavior and its association with weight loss in an overweight/obese sample of veterans.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of data from the ASPIRE study, a randomized effectiveness trial of weight loss among veterans. Of the 481 enrolled veterans with overweight/obesity, binge eating frequency was obtained by survey for 392 (82%).

RESULTS

The majority (77.6%) reported binge eating, and 6.1% reported high-frequency binge eating. Those reporting any binge eating lost 1.4% of body weight, decreased waist circumference by 2.0 cm, and had significantly worse outcomes than those reporting never binge eating who lost about double the weight (2.7%) and reduced waist circumference by twice as much (4.2 cm). The high-frequency binge group gained 1.4% of body weight and increased waist circumference by 0.3 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of binge eating were observed in an overweight/obese sample of veterans enrolled in weight loss treatment. The presence of binge eating predicted poorer weight loss outcomes. Furthermore, high-frequency binge eating was associated with weight gain. These findings have operational and policy implications for developing effective strategies to address binge eating in the context of behavioral weight loss programs for veterans.