Meta-Analysis on Drugs in People with Eating Disorders

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether drug use (DU) is higher in people with eating disorders (EDs) compared to a healthy control group and to perform a meta-analysis on the literature related to DU in people with EDs. Method: We searched electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL) and reviewed studies published from 1994 to August, 2007, in English, German or Spanish. A total of 16 papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. Results: The general meta-analysis revealed a negligible albeit significant effect size (0.119, p <.05). Risk was found to be higher in bulimia nervosa (BN, delta = 0.462, p = <.001), smaller in binge eating disorder (delta = 0.14, p <.05) and non-significant in anorexia nervosa (AN, delta = -.167, p = .070). Conclusions: The differential risk observed in patients with BN might be related to differences in temperament or might be the result of reward sensitization. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.