Binge Eating Disorder In Adults Research Articles

Binge-Eating Disorder Interventions: Review, Current Status, and Implications.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is a serious psychiatric problem associated with substantial morbidity that, unfortunately, frequently goes unrecognized and untreated. This review summarizes the current status of behavioral, psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments for BED in adults with a particular focus on recent findings and advances. Certain specific psychological treatments, notably CBT and IPT, and to some extent DBT, have demonstrated efficacy and are associated with durable benefits after treatment. Certain specific lower-cost scalable interventions, notably CBTgsh, have demonstrated efficacy and have potential for broader uptake. An important advance is the emerging RCT data indicating that BWL, a generalist and available behavioral lifestyle intervention, has effectiveness that approximates that of CBT for reducing binge eating and eating-disorder psychopathology but with the advantage of also producing modest weight loss. There exists only one pharmacological agent (LDX) with approval by the FDA for "moderate-to-severe" BED. Research with other "off label" medications has yielded modest and mixed outcomes with a few medications statistically superior to placebo over the short-term and almost no longer-term data. Nearly all research combining medications and psychological treatments has failed to enhance outcomes (combined appears superior to pharmacotherapy-only but not to psychotherapy-only). Many people with BED suffer in silence and shame, go untreated, and rarely receive evidence-based treatments. Patients and practitioners need to recognize that research has identified several effective interventions for BED, and these can work quickly for many patients. Future research should identify treatments for those who do not derive benefit from initial interventions, identify additional pharmacological options, test agents with relevant mechanisms of action, and utilize innovative adaptative "SMART" designs to identify treatments to enhance outcomes among initial responders and to test alternative treatments to assist initial non-responders.

Effect of stimulant medication on loss of control eating in youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a prospective, observational case series study protocol

BackgroundLoss of control eating (LOC-E) in youth predicts the later development of full-syndrome binge-eating disorder (BED), and therefore, could be a relevant target for prevention treatments. To develop these treatments, it is important to understand the underlying disease processes and mechanisms. Based on the putative role of neurocognitive impairments in the pathogenesis of LOC-E, treatments that modulate these neurocognitive factors warrant further exploration. For instance, stimulants are an effective treatment for impulsivity in youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and have been shown to improve symptoms of BED in adults. Notably, stimulants have not been examined as a treatment for LOC-E in youth. To explore this gap, we aim to measure change in LOC-E episodes and secondary outcomes in youth with comorbid ADHD and LOC-E who are being started on stimulants.MethodsWe will collect prospective observational data on forty 8-to-13-year-old youth diagnosed with comorbid ADHD and LOC-E who are initiating a stimulant for ADHD. Prior to stimulant initiation, participants will complete baseline measures including LOC-E episode frequency in the last 3 months (primary outcome), and secondary outcomes including disordered eating cognitions, emotions and behaviors, ADHD symptom severity, parental LOC-E, impulsivity and reward sensitivity, and anxiety/mood severity. Outcome measurements will be gathered again at 3-months after initiating the stimulant. Within-patient standardized effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals will be calculated from baseline to 3-month follow-up for all outcomes.DiscussionMany individuals with LOC-E or binge eating do not fully remit over the course of psychotherapy. Whereas psychotherapy may address psychological and sociocultural domains associated with LOC-E, some individuals with neurocognitive impairments (e.g., ADHD) and neurobiological deficits (e.g., low intrasynaptic dopamine or norepinephrine) may benefit from adjunctive treatment that targets those factors. This will be the first study to provide pilot data for future studies that could examine both the effect of stimulants on LOC-E in youth and underlying mechanisms.Trial registrationTrial registration number: NCT05592119

What is the potential for abuse of lisdexamfetamine in adults? A preclinical and clinical literature review and expert opinion

Introduction : Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a prodrug approved for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults in some countries. Area covered : We aimed to specify the abuse potential of LDX in adults, using a review of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD), animal, clinical, and pharmaco-epidemiological studies, through a PubMed search since inception until May 2021 using the following keywords: “lisdexamfetamine AND (“misuse” OR “abuse” OR “diversion” OR “addiction”). Expert opinion : Most of the studies highlighted a longer Tmax than dexamphetamine leading to a delayed onset of effects and a decreased Cmax. These PK parameters were often associated with a diminished feeling of euphoria, in comparison to immediate-release dexamphetamine. The potential for abuse was also limited by the prodrug property of LDX, thus reducing the risk of misuse. Nevertheless, all the data were not convergent, as some authors reported similar Cmax for LDX and dexamphetamine and reinforcing properties with a dose-dependent effect. Epidemiological studies found that abuse rates of LDX were substantially lower than those of immediate-release dexamphetamine. Overall, although LDX abuse seems possible, we did not find evidence concerning current safety signal. However, more long-term pharmaco-epidemiological studies are still needed to confirm this finding.

Identifying eating disorders in adolescents and adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review of screening questionnaires.

ObjectiveThis review aimed to examine the validity of self‐report screening questionnaires for identifying eating disorder (ED) risk in adults and adolescents with overweight/obesity.MethodFive databases were searched from inception to September 2020 for studies assessing validation of self‐report ED screening questionnaires against diagnostic interviews in adolescents and adults with overweight/obesity. The review was registered with PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=220013).ResultsTwenty‐seven papers examining 15 questionnaires were included. Most studies validated questionnaires for adults (22 of 27 studies), and most questionnaires (12 of 15) screened for binge eating or binge‐eating disorder (BED). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (sensitivity = .16–.88, specificity = .62–1.0) and Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns (sensitivity = .07–1.0, specificity = .0–1.0) were most frequently validated (six studies each). Five studies of three questionnaires were in adolescents, with the Adolescent Binge‐Eating Disorder Questionnaire having highest sensitivity (1.0) but lower specificity (.27). Questionnaires designed to screen for BED generally had higher diagnostic accuracy than those screening for EDs in general.DiscussionQuestionnaires have been well validated to identify BED in adults with overweight/obesity. Validated screening tools to identify other EDs in adults and any ED in adolescents with overweight/obesity are lacking. Thus, clinical assessment should inform the identification of patients with co‐morbid EDs and overweight/obesity.Public SignificanceIndividuals with overweight/obesity are at increased risk of EDs. This review highlights literature gaps regarding screening for ED risk in this vulnerable group. This work presents possibilities for improving care of individuals with overweight/obesity by reinventing ED screening tools to be better suited to diverse populations.

Predictors of Symptom Trajectories After Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Adolescents With an Age-Adapted Diagnosis of Binge-Eating Disorder

Although evidence demonstrated efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in adolescents with binge-eating disorder (BED), treatment response is heterogeneous. This study uniquely examined baseline predictors of symptom trajectories in N = 73 adolescents (12–20 years) with an age-adapted diagnosis of BED (i.e., based on objective and subjective binge-eating episodes). Based on evidence from adult BED, dietary restraint, overvaluation of weight/shape, and depressive symptoms were used to predict changes in abstinence from binge eating and eating disorder psychopathology after 4 months of individual, face-to-face CBT using growth models. Longitudinal trajectories of abstinence from objective and subjective binge eating and global eating disorder psychopathology assessed via the Eating Disorder Examination were modeled for five time points (pre- and posttreatment, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up). Beyond significant, positive effects for time, no significant predictors for abstinence from binge eating emerged. In addition to significant decreases in eating disorder psychopathology over time, higher pretreatment dietary restraint and overvaluation of weight/shape significantly predicted greater decreases in eating disorder psychopathology over time. Consistent with research in adult BED, adolescents with higher than lower eating disorder-specific psychopathology especially benefit from CBT indicating that restrained eating and overvaluation of weight/shape may be BED-specific prognostic characteristic across developmental stages. Future predictor studies with an additional focus on potential age-specific predictors, such as family factors, and within-treatment processes may be critical in further evaluating treatment-related symptom trajectories in adolescent BED.

Links between traumatic experiences in childhood or early adulthood and lifetime binge eating disorder

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between childhood or early adulthood traumatic experiences and adulthood binge eating disorder (BED) in 326 male and 1158 female patients. A structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-I/P)–adapted to lifetime exploration for the diagnosis of BED and for DSM-IV Childhood Disorders was conducted by the psychiatrist. ResultsEmotional neglect was the most frequent event experienced (77.8% of females vs. 63.5% of males, p < 0.0001), ahead of physical abuse (23.3%), witnessed domestic violence (17.7%) and sexual abuse (11.8% of females vs. 2.8% of males (p < 0.0001)). The prevalence rate for BED in the whole population was 34.9%. The independent predictors for BED were emotional neglect in male obese patients (OR = 3.49; IC95% (1.94–6.29); p < 0.0001) and physical abuse (OR = 1.56; IC95% (1.14–2.12); p = 0.0047), emotional neglect (OR = 1.83; IC95% (1.37–2.44); p < 0.0001), and sexual abuse (OR = 1.80; IC95% (1.22–2.65); p = 0.0029) in female patients. With a cut-off value of 17, the sensitivity of the Binge Eating Scale for BED during lifetime was 50.8% with 74.7% specificity. ConclusionsThis study shows that early psychological events are independent predictors of BED in obese female and male adults. The BES questionnaire is a poor predictor of BED during lifetime and a structured clinical interview should be recommended.

What interventions are effective in treating binge-eating disorder in adults?

Teng, Yue MD; Mazanderani, Adel MD; Watne, Meghan MD; Hallows, Ian DO; Eaton, Jeremy DO Author Information

Two sides of weight bias in adolescent binge-eating disorder: Adolescents' perceptions and maternal attitudes.

Adolescents with binge-eating disorder (BED) are suffering from weight teasing and, as found in adult BED, are likely to internalize weight bias. Weight teasing by mothers accounts for psychopathology in overweight (OW), but stigmatization sources are largely unknown in BED. This study sought to address weight bias in adolescents with OW and BED by examining adolescents' perceived parental weight teasing and weight bias internalization in relation to their eating disorder psychopathology and maternal stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs. Adolescents with OW and BED (BED; n = 40) were compared to a socio-demographically matched group with OW only and a normal-weight control group (NW; each n = 25). They filled out the Perception of Teasing Scale, with parents as the source of teasing, the Weight Bias Internalization Scale and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Their mothers filled out the Attitudes Toward and Beliefs about Obese Persons Scales. Significantly higher perceived parental weight teasing and weight bias internalization were found in BED compared to OW and NW. Maternal stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs did not differ significantly between groups and were not correlated with adolescents' perceptions of being stigmatized. Perceived parental weight teasing was associated with adolescents' eating disorder psychopathology, however, this association was fully mediated by weight bias internalization. Results indicate that adolescents with OW and BED perceive weight teasing in families. As we found no significant association between adolescents' perceptions of being stigmatized and maternal stigmatizing attitudes, future research should examine parent-child interaction or implicit measures of stigmatizing attitudes.

113 Dasotraline for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Binge Eating Disorder in Adults: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

AbstractObjectivesBinge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the US, with a lifetime prevalence of 2.8%. Disturbances in reward circuitry have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Dasotraline is a novel and potent dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with slow absorption and a long half-life resulting in stable plasma concentrations over 24 hours with once-daily dosing. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexibly-dosed dasotraline (4, 6, and 8 mg/day) vs placebo in adults with moderate to severe BED over a 12-week period (NCT02564588).MethodsKey inclusion criteria included moderate to severe BED based on a history of ≥2 binge eating days/week for ≥6 months prior to screening, and ≥3 binge eating days for each of2 weeks prior to randomization, as documented in participant’s binge eating diary. Patients were randomized 1:1 to flexibly-dosed dasotraline (4, 6, 8 mg/day) or placebo. Theprimary endpoint was change from baseline (CFB) in the number of binge eating days per week at Week 12. Key secondary endpoints were: CFB in Clinical Global Impression–Severity (CGI-S) Scale at Week 12; CFB in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Binge Eating (YBOCS-BE) at Week 12; and the percentage ofsubjects with a 4-week cessation from binge eating prior to Week 12 or end of treatment (EOT). Except for 4-week cessation, the other three variables were analyzed using amixed model for repeated measures (MMRM).Results317 subjects (84% female) received ≥1 dose of study medication (mean age was 38.2 years; mean number of binge eating days per week, 4.25; mean CGI-S score, 4.5; mean BMI, 34.7). The MMRM analysis of CFB at Week 12 in the number of binge days/week yielded a significant mean difference of –0.99 (95% CI: –0.65 to –1.33; p&lt;0.001) infavour of dasotraline (–3.74 in the dasotraline group vs –2.75 in the placebo group). All three key secondary endpoints were met at Week 12 or EOT: 46.5% of subjects in thedasotraline group achieved at least 4 consecutive weeks’ cessation from binge eating vs 20.6% in the placebo group (p&lt;0.001); CFB in CGI-S and YBOCS-BE scores were also statistically significant in favour of dasotraline (p&lt;0.001). The treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) that occurred more frequently with dasotraline vs placebo at &gt;2% incidence included: insomnia (44.6% vs 8.1%), dry mouth (27.4% vs 5.0%), decreased appetite (19.7% vs 6.9%), anxiety (17.8% vs 2.5%), nausea (12.7% vs 6.9%) and decreased body weight (12.1% vs 0%). Discontinuation due to AEs occurred in 11.5% of patients taking dasotraline vs 2.5% taking placebo.ConclusionsIn adults with moderate to severe BED, there were highly significant and clinically meaningful reductions with dasotraline vs placebo in the frequency of binge eating, global severity of illness, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to binge eating. These results suggest dasotraline may offer a novel, well-tolerated and efficacious treatmentfor BED.Funding AcknowledgementsStudy sponsored by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Lisdexamfetamine: A Review in Binge Eating Disorder

Oral lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse®; lisdexamfetamine), a prodrug of dextroamfetamine, is currently the only drug to be approved in the USA for the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adult patients. Its approval was based on the results of two pivotal short-term (12weeks) phase III studies, which showed a significantly greater reduction in binge eating days/week at the end of the study with lisdexamfetamine 50-70mg/day than with placebo. The findings of these studies have been supported and extended by the results of longer-term (≤52weeks) phase III studies, including one with a randomized 26-week withdrawal phase, which showed that lisdexamfetamine markedly reduced the risk of BED relapse relative to placebo. Lisdexamfetamine was generally well tolerated in clinical trials in patients with moderate to severe BED, with a tolerability profile similar to that observed in ADHD patients; most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were of mild or moderate intensity. The most common TEAEs in phase III trials included dry mouth, headache and insomnia; TEAEs infrequently led to study drug discontinuation. In conclusion, lisdexamfetamine 50-70mg/day is an effective and generally well tolerated option for treating moderate to severe BED in adults.

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults.

Letters7 February 2017Binge-Eating Disorder in AdultsKimberly A. Brownley, PhD, Nancy D. Berkman, PhD, Christine M. Peat, PhD, Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD, and Cynthia M. Bulik, PhDKimberly A. Brownley, PhDFrom University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Search for more papers by this author, Nancy D. Berkman, PhDFrom University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Search for more papers by this author, Christine M. Peat, PhDFrom University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Search for more papers by this author, Kathleen N. Lohr, PhDFrom University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Search for more papers by this author, and Cynthia M. Bulik, PhDFrom University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L16-0621 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Dr. Wilfley and colleagues highlight several critical gaps in the evidence base on effective treatments for patients with BED, including information about treatment durability, generalizability, and tradeoffs between benefits and harms. They recommend longer-term outcome studies to address such shortcomings, including comparative effectiveness studies, and express concern about the adverse effects of some pharmacologic agents. In many respects, their observations echo our conclusions about treatment efficacy and harms as presented in our article and comparative effectiveness (1). Nonetheless, we note some important caveats for readers to consider.First, today's evidence base is sufficient only to single out CBT ...

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults

Lisdexamfetamine in the treatment of moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults: systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of publicly available placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.

BackgroundPreliminary placebo-controlled evidence paved the ground to the US Food and Drug Administration approval extension of lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults.ObjectivesTo provide a preliminary qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) considering the efficacy and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine in the acute and/or maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe BED in adults.MethodsA preliminary, yet comprehensive, systematic review was performed by accessing a broad range of resources providing publicly available data about lisdexamfetamine at the time of inquiry (March 2016). Study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions were considered focusing on major clinical and functional outcomes of either efficacy or tolerability of lisdexamfetamine in the treatment of moderate-to-severe BED in adults.ResultsMeta-analysis of data pooled from three acute RCTs significantly favored lisdexamfetamine over placebo in the reduction of binge eating days/week, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Binge Eating total score, weight, response, and remission rates (all, P≤0.01). In contrast, discontinuation rates due to treatment-emergent adverse events were significantly higher among patients in receipt of lisdexamfetamine (relative risk 2.19, P=0.04) versus placebo.LimitationsPublication, selection, performance, attrition, reporting, sponsorship, and “diagnostic shift” biases. Lack of inclusion of adverse event effects other than those requiring discontinuation of the trial(s), as well as lack of information about clinically relevant psychiatric or other medical comorbidities, limits the overall generalizability of pooled results.ConclusionAcross the included acute phase RCTs, lisdexamfetamine (at 30, 50, or 70 mg/day) led to significant reduction in a number of clinically relevant outcomes compared to placebo. Moreover, safety concerns related to adverse events, high discontinuation rates, and the need for additional long-term maintenance of RCTs solicit careful monitoring of the drug in terms of overall safety and tolerability by further RCTs.

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The best treatment options for binge-eating disorder are unclear. To summarize evidence about the benefits and harms of psychological and pharmacologic therapies for adults with binge-eating disorder. English-language publications in EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Academic OneFile, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov through 18 November 2015, and in MEDLINE through 12 May 2016. 9 waitlist-controlled psychological trials and 25 placebo-controlled trials that evaluated pharmacologic (n= 19) or combination (n= 6) treatment. All were randomized trials with low or medium risk of bias. 2 reviewers independently extracted trial data, assessed risk of bias, and graded strength of evidence. Therapist-led cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, and second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) decreased binge-eating frequency and increased binge-eating abstinence (relative risk, 4.95 [95% CI, 3.06 to 8.00], 2.61 [CI, 2.04 to 3.33], and 1.67 [CI, 1.24 to 2.26], respectively). Lisdexamfetamine (mean difference [MD], -6.50 [CI, -8.82 to -4.18]) and SGAs (MD, -3.84 [CI, -6.55 to -1.13]) reduced binge-eating-related obsessions and compulsions, and SGAs reduced symptoms of depression (MD, -1.97 [CI, -3.67 to -0.28]). Headache, gastrointestinal upset, sleep disturbance, and sympathetic nervous system arousal occurred more frequently with lisdexamfetamine than placebo (relative risk range, 1.63 to 4.28). Other forms of cognitive behavioral therapy and topiramate also increased abstinence and reduced binge-eating frequency and related psychopathology. Topiramate reduced weight and increased sympathetic nervous system arousal, and lisdexamfetamine reduced weight and appetite. Most study participants were overweight or obese white women aged 20 to 40 years. Many treatments were examined only in single studies. Outcomes were measured inconsistently across trials and rarely assessed beyond end of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, SGAs, and topiramate reduced binge eating and related psychopathology, and lisdexamfetamine and topiramate reduced weight in adults with binge-eating disorder. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Lisdexamfetamine reduces the compulsive and perseverative behaviour of binge-eating rats in a novel food reward/punished responding conflict model.

Compulsive and perseverative behaviour in binge-eating, female, Wistar rats was investigated in a novel food reward/punished responding conflict model. Rats were trained to perform the conditioned avoidance response task. When proficient, the paradigm was altered to a food-associated conflict test by placing a chocolate-filled jar (empty jar for controls) in one compartment of the shuttle box. Entry into the compartment with the jar triggered the conditioning stimulus after a variable interval, and foot-shock 10 seconds later if the rat did not leave. Residence in the 'safe' compartment with no jar did not initiate trials or foot-shocks. By frequently entering the chocolate-paired compartment, binge-eating rats completed their 10 trials more quickly than non-binge controls. Binge-eating rats spent a greater percentage of the session in the chocolate-paired compartment, received foot-shocks more frequently, and tolerated foot-shocks for longer periods; all consistent with compulsive and perseverative behaviour. The d-amphetamine prodrug, lisdexamfetamine, has recently received US approval for the treatment of moderate to severe binge-eating disorder in adults. Lisdexamfetamine (0.8 mg/kg po [d-amphetamine base]) decreased chocolate consumption by binge-eating rats by 55% and markedly reduced compulsive and perseverative responding in the model. These findings complement clinical results showing lisdexamfetamine reduced compulsiveness scores in subjects with binge-eating disorder.

Novel pharmacologic treatment in acute binge eating disorder - role of lisdexamfetamine.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder and an important public health problem. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption accompanied by a sense of loss of control over the binge eating behavior without the inappropriate compensatory weight loss behaviors of bulimia nervosa. BED affects both sexes and all age groups and is associated with medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Until recently, self-help and psychotherapy were the primary treatment options for patients with BED. In early 2015, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a prodrug stimulant marketed for attention deficit hyperactive disorder, was the first pharmacologic agent to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate or severe BED in adults. This article summarizes BED clinical presentation, and discusses the pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy, and safety of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in the treatment of BED in adults.

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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.

Are Eating Disorders Related to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. Binge-eating behavior is often impulsive and is the hallmark of the two eating disorders, binge-eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN), both of which are associated with significant health impairment. Bingeing behavior is also seen in the binge purge subtype of anorexia nervosa. Individuals with AN of the binge purge subtypes, BN and BED, have been found to exhibit impulsive behaviors that are often not limited to binge eating alone. There is preliminary evidence linking ADHD to BN and to BED in both adults and children. The neurobiological mechanisms behind these associations are only beginning to emerge; however, they suggest that impulse control deficits may play a role in these eating disorders. Additionally, although they may not meet full criteria for one of these eating disorders, some adults and children with ADHD present with dysregulated, impulsive eating disorder behaviors and there is a growing association between ADHD, obesity, and binge-eating behavior in both children and adults. The relationship between ADHD and binge eating is novel, supported by growing evidence and worthy of further research. We will review the underlying neurobiological underpinnings, neuroimaging data, and possible psychopharmacological treatment options, which target both ADHD and binge-eating behaviors as well as future research and treatment directions.

Lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder in adults: a systematic review of the efficacy and safety profile for this newly approved indication - what is the number needed to treat, number needed to harm and likelihood to be helped or harmed?

To describe the efficacy and safety of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) for the treatment of binge eating disorder (BED). The pivotal registration trials were accessed by querying http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and http://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu for the search terms 'lisdexamfetamine' and 'binge', and by also querying the Web of Science (Thomson Reuters) and Embase (Elsevier) commercial databases, and by asking the manufacturer for copies of posters presented at congresses. Product labelling provided additional information. All available clinical reports of studies were identified. Descriptions of the principal results and calculation of number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed to harm (NNH) for relevant dichotomous outcomes were extracted from the available study reports and other sources of information. LDX is a central nervous system stimulant indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe BED. The recommended dose range is 50-70 mg/day. Approval for the treatment of BED was based on a clinical development programme that included an 11-week Phase II proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled study, testing fixed doses of LDX 30, 50 and 70 mg/day, and two 12-week Phase III placebo-controlled studies examining LDX 50-70 mg/day. Statistically significant reductions in binge eating days/week, the primary outcome measure, were observed for LDX doses of 50 and 70 mg/day, with effect sizes in the Phase III trials ranging from 0.83 to 0.97. The pooled NNT for response across all trials (as defined by a Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score of 'very much improved' or 'much improved') for LDX vs. placebo was 3 (95% CI 3-4), and NNT for remission (as defined by 4-week cessation of binge eating) for LDX vs. placebo was 4 (95% CI 4-6). Reductions in weight ranged between 5.2% and 6.25% for LDX 50 or 70 mg/day. Discontinuation rates because of adverse events (AEs) were low; NNH for discontinuation because of an AE for LDX vs. placebo was 44 (95% CI 23-1971). The most commonly encountered AEs (incidence ≥ 10% and greater than the rate for placebo) were dry mouth, decreased appetite, insomnia and headache, with NNH values vs. placebo of 4 (95% CI 3-5), 11 (95% CI 8-17), 11 (95% CI 8-18) and 19 (95% CI 11-75), respectively. LDX is the first pharmacological agent that has received regulatory approval for the treatment of BED. LDX 50 or 70 mg/day significantly reduced BED symptoms as measured by the number of binge eating days per week. Effect sizes were highly robust. Pending clinical trials include a long-term study examining maintenance of efficacy.