Eating disorders, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory disease

Stephanie Zerwas, Janne Tidselbak Larsen, Liselotte Petersen, Laura M. Thornton, Michela Quaranta, Susanne Vinkel Koch, David Pisetsky, Preben Bo Mortensen, Cynthia M. Bulik*

*Corresponding author for this work
33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Identifying factors associated with risk for eating disorders is important for clarifying etiology and for enhancing early detection of eating disorders in primary care. We hypothesized that autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases would be associated with eating disorders in children and adolescents and that family history of these illnesses would be associated with eating disorders in probands. METHODS: In this large, nationwide, population-based cohort study of all children and adolescents born in Denmark between 1989 and 2006 and managed until 2012, Danish medical registers captured all inpatient and outpatient diagnoses of eating disorders and autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. The study population included 930 977 individuals (48.7% girls). Cox proportional hazards regression models and logistic regression were applied to evaluate associations. RESULTS: We found significantly higher hazards of eating disorders for children and adolescents with autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases: 36% higher hazard for anorexia nervosa, 73% for bulimia nervosa, and 72% for an eating disorder not otherwise specified. The association was particularly strong in boys. Parental autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease history was associated with significantly increased odds for anorexia nervosa (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.25), bulimia nervosa (OR = 1.29; CI = 1.08-1.55) and for an eating disorder not otherwise specified (OR = 1.27; CI = 1.13-1.44). CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are associated with increased risk for eating disorders. Ultimately, understanding the role of immune system disturbance for the etiology and pathogenesis of eating disorders could point toward novel treatment targets.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere20162089
JournalPediatrics
Volume140
Issue number6
Number of pages11
ISSN0031-4005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Eating disorders, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this