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Haloperidol for severe anorexia nervosa restricting type with delusional body image disturbance: a nine-case chart review

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Abstract

Here we report on a case series chart review conducted on nine severe and treatment-resistant patients with anorexia nervosa, body mass index <13 kg/m2, and a delusional body image disturbance. Patients received low doses of haloperidol during hospitalization. Haloperidol was well tolerated. The delusional body image disturbance and the drive for thinness were subjectively perceived as less intense. BMI increased from the initial 12.2 ± 0.5 to 16.0 ± 1.5 kg/m2. Mean pulse rate and blood pressure did not change significantly from admission to discharge (66 ± 11.6 bpm; 91/56 mmHg vs 77 ± 12.0 bpm; 102/66 mmHg). Mean of QTc, available from electrocardiograms performed during hospitalization, was 413 ± 38.5 ms (range 342–469 ms). Further investigations are warranted to elucidate clinical usefulness and safety of low doses of haloperidol for patients with treatment-resistant anorexia and delusional body image disturbance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Giulia Gray of the University of Pisa, Italy, for the English revision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatric Clinic, University of Pisa, 57 Roma Street, Pisa, 56100, Italy

    Mauro Mauri, Mario Miniati, Michela Giorgi Mariani, Agnese Ciberti & Liliana Dell’Osso

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  1. Mauro Mauri
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  2. Mario Miniati
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  3. Michela Giorgi Mariani
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  4. Agnese Ciberti
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  5. Liliana Dell’Osso
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Correspondence to Liliana Dell’Osso.

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Mauri, M., Miniati, M., Mariani, M.G. et al. Haloperidol for severe anorexia nervosa restricting type with delusional body image disturbance: a nine-case chart review. Eat Weight Disord 18, 329–332 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0052-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0052-9

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