WOMEN with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at a greater risk for developing disordered eating finds the results of a meta-analysis. Specifically, the research highlights women with PCOS, regardless of their body mass index (BMI), are at a higher risk of eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. This association had been explored in previous meta-analyses, but they were limited by small patient numbers.
The research team, led by Laura Cooney, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies including 28,922 women with PCOS and 258,619 controls. The studies included women diagnosed with PCOS using NIH or Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. Random effects meta-analyses were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and standardised mean differences (SMD) for the prevalence of eating disorders among women with PCOS compared to controls.
Women with PCOS had significantly higher odds of developing any eating disorder (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.29-1.82), with the association being stronger for those diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.55-5.34). Specifically, women with PCOS were more likely to develop bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but not anorexia nervosa. Disordered eating scores were also higher in women with PCOS compared to controls (SMD, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.77) regardless of BMI.
Overall, this study suggests that women with PCOS are at an increased risk of disordered eating, independent of their weight. This finding supports the the need for weight-neutral treatment approaches in managing PCOS. Early screening and referrals to specialists in eating disorders could improve long-term health outcomes for these women. Further research is needed to identify specific risk factors for disordered eating in women with PCOS to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Abigail Craig | EMJ
Reference
Cooney LG et al. Increased prevalence of binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae462.
