Manifestations of Anxiety in Patients with Eating Disorders andtheir Changes during Citalopram Treatment

Overview

Clinical characteristics of eating disorders are associated among others witha high psychiatric comorbidity. In a pilot study of anxiety disorders in pro-bands with anorexia nervosa and bulimia the authors investigated the inci-dence of anxiety disorders in first-grade relatives as well as in the probands.The group comprised 35 women aged 13 - 28 years (mean age 18.78 years).Data on anxiety disorders in first-grade relatives were found in five pro-bands, i.e. 14.29 % of the group. In four instances an obsessive-compulsivedisorder was involved and in one instance a separation anxiety disorder. Theanxiety disorder preceded the development of the eating disorder in 20 pro-bands: in 14 probands (i.e. in 40 % of the group) an obsessive-compulsivedisorder was involved and in 6 probands (15.14 % of the group) a phobicdisorder. Actual anxiety disorders or isolated anxiety symptoms were foundin 27 probands (77.1 %). By means of quantification scales (HAMD, factoranxiety score F1, questionnaires on anxiety or anxiousness STAI X-1, STAIX-2) revealed higher values of actual anxiety (high F1 score) and in some ofthe probands also a high score of anxiety and anxiousness (in STAI X-1 andSTAI X-2).During 28-day citalopram treatment the values of the total score declined inall scales used. Correlation analysis revealed that diminution of anxiety ma-nifestations during treatment is independent on the effect on depression.In the conclusions the authors draw attention to the frequent incidence ofanxiety disorders in eating disorders and they assume that subjects withanxiety disorders, as well as subjects with these disorders among first-graderelatives are more liable to develop eating disorders. If this assumption willbe confirmed, anamnestic data could be used in aimed preventive progra-mmes or for early detection of eating disorders.

Key words:
eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, anxiety disorders,obsessive compulsive disorders, phobic disorders, citalopram treatment.