Study Reveals Long-Term Health Risks of Eating Disorders

A comprehensive study published in the open-access journal BMJ Medicine has unveiled the complex and long-lasting health impacts of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The research highlights that individuals diagnosed with these conditions face significantly heightened risks of severe health issues, particularly within the first year of diagnosis. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated and multidisciplinary health services to enhance patient outcomes.

The study tracked the health records of 24,709 people aged 10 to 44 diagnosed with eating disorders over a span of 20 years from 1998 to 2018. Researchers analyzed anonymized medical records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linking them to Hospital Episode Statistics and death certification data across England. The research revealed that the majority of the sample population, approximately 89%, were female. Among those with eating disorders, 14.5% had anorexia, 20.5% had bulimia, and 5% were diagnosed with binge eating disorder, while 60% had unspecified eating disorders.

In the first year following diagnosis, individuals with eating disorders exhibited alarming health risks. They were found to be six times more likely to develop renal failure and nearly seven times more likely to be diagnosed with liver disease. The study also indicated significant risks of osteoporosis, heart failure, and diabetes, with rates being three times higher for diabetes alone. These heightened risks persisted even after five years, with renal failure and liver disease remaining 2.5 to 4 times higher than expected.

The mental health implications were equally concerning. Within the first year, the risk of depression was reported to be seven times higher, translating to an additional 596 cases per 10,000 people. Similarly, the risk of self-harm skyrocketed to more than nine times higher, resulting in an extra 309 cases per 10,000. The risk of death from any cause within the first 12 months was also significantly elevated, being more than four times higher, with unnatural deaths, including suicide, being five times higher.

After five years, the risks of death remained concerning, with notable increases in mortality rates. Specifically, the study noted an additional 43 deaths per 10,000 people from all causes and 184 deaths per 100,000 from unnatural causes. Even 10 years post-diagnosis, the elevated risks persisted, reaching 95 additional deaths per 10,000 from all causes and 341 deaths per 100,000 from unnatural causes.

Despite the profound findings, the researchers acknowledged limitations in the study, particularly the inability to assess the severity of the eating disorders. They emphasized the need for ongoing support and monitoring from primary care providers. “Our data describe the substantial long-term effects of eating disorders and emphasize the potential opportunity for primary care to have a greater role in offering support and long-term monitoring,” the researchers stated.

In a related editorial, Dr. Jennifer Couturier and Ethan Nella from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, noted that the health consequences of eating disorders are often under-recognized. They highlighted the necessity for enhanced education on this topic within medical training. “Medical education should place greater emphasis on the recognition and management of eating disorders,” they stated, urging the integration of care across various medical disciplines to adequately address the multifaceted nature of these disorders.

The study draws attention to an urgent public health issue, particularly as rates of eating disorders have escalated in the UK since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers advocate for a cohesive management approach that includes both physical and mental health services to better support individuals recovering from eating disorders. Raising awareness among healthcare providers about the lasting impacts of these disorders and the necessity for ongoing care is deemed essential for improving patient outcomes.