Bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases
RESEARCH IMPACT:
“Bidirectional Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Autoimmune Diseases” reveals a significant, reciprocal association between eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) and autoimmune diseases, suggesting that individuals with one condition are at increased risk for developing the other. This finding underscores the importance of integrated clinical approaches for early diagnosis and treatment in patients presenting with either autoimmune disorder, psychiatric conditions, or eating disorders.
SUMMARY
Bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases replicates strong bidirectional relationships between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases, using a large population-based cohort from Sweden involving over 2.5 million individuals aged 0–35 years born between 1979 and 2005.
Researchers investigated whether having an autoimmune condition increases the risk of developing an eating disorder and vice versa. They observed positive and strong associations between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases in females. Autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and type 1 diabetes were linked with increased risk of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other eating disorders. Similarly, prior diagnosis of eating disorders raised the likelihood of developing autoimmune conditions. Interestingly, a pattern was not detected in males.
The study suggests possible shared biological mechanisms—such as immune dysregulation, inflammation, metabolic disruption, and hormonal imbalances—or behavioral factors that may mediate these associations. These insights emphasize the importance of integrated clinical awareness for overlapping symptoms and risk factors across psychiatric and immune-related illnesses.
LINK TO PAPER: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12958
CITATION
Hedman, A., Breithaupt, L., Hübel, C., Thornton, L. M., Tillander, A., Norring, C., Birgegård, A., Larsson, H., Ludvigsson, J. F., Sävendahl, L., Almqvist, C., & Bulik, C. M. (2019). Bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 60(7), 803–812. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12958