Study Links Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Eating Disorders

Celiac.com 05/13/2024 - A recent study from Ontario, Canada sheds light on a concerning association between immune-mediated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the increased risk of developing eating disorders. While previous research hinted at this connection, this comprehensive study provides deeper insights into the matter.

The study was conducted by Subramanian, Lakshmimathy MD; Coo, Helen MSc; Jane, Alanna MD; Flemming, Jennifer A. MD, MAS; Acker, Amy MD; Hoggan, Benjamin MSc; Griffiths, Rebecca BSc; Sehgal, Anupam MBBS, DNB; Mulder, and Daniel MD, PhD. They are variously affiliate with the Department of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; the Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada; and the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), Ontario, Canada.

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Their study is a retrospective matched cohort analysis, which involved individuals under the age of 50 diagnosed with immune-mediated GI diseases between 2002 and 2020.  Researchers meticulously matched cases with controls based on birth year, sex, and region of residence. Among the 83,920 cases examined, those with pre-existing eating disorders were excluded.

Twofold Increased Risk

Over the follow-up period until January 31, 2022, the study identified 161 cases of eating disorders among individuals with immune-mediated GI diseases, compared to 160 among controls. The incidence rate ratio for eating disorders in this population was 1.99, indicating a nearly twofold increased risk.

Interestingly, the risk was particularly pronounced among pediatric cases, with children under 18 years old showing a significantly higher hazard ratio compared to adults. For instance, pediatric incident cases of ulcerative colitis exhibited the largest hazard ratio of 4.11.

Celiac Disease and IBD Patients Should be Monitored for Eating Disorders

These findings underscore the importance of early screening and detection, especially among pediatric patients with immune-mediated GI diseases. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in monitoring patients with celiac disease and IBD for signs of eating disorders, as timely intervention can significantly impact outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms driving this association and develop targeted interventions to mitigate the risk.

Read more in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology