Placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder: A pooled analysis of two randomized parallel-group clinical trials

Objective This study aims to explore predictors and clinical correlates of placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder (BED). Method Data from two identically designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, and multicenter pharmacotherapy studies for adults with moderate to severe BED were pooled. Results Of 360 placebo recipients, 134 (37%) were responders and 53 (15%) achieved 4-week binge eating cessation. Placebo response and cessation were each associated with higher baseline disability scores but not with measures of BED symptomatology severity. Compared with placebo noncessation, placebo cessation was further associated with increased blood pressure at baseline and greater improvement in pulse and triglyceride levels at endpoint. Discussion Future clinical trial design for BED pharmacotherapy trials might consider disability level among participants to enhance signal detection. Cessation of binge eating with placebo might be associated with improvement in cardiovascular and metabolic variables, at least over the short term.