A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and odds of eating disorders in patients with celiac disease and vice-versa.

OBJECTIVES

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis study, we aimed to review studies that assessed the prevalence and risk of eating disorders (EDs) in patients with celiac disease (CD) and vice-versa.

METHOD: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies that assessed the prevalence and risk of AN in patients with CD and vice-versa. Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for critical appraisal. The STATA software was used for the meta-analysis of the random-effect model.

RESULTS

In this study, 23 observational studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the pooled prevalence of EDs and bulimia nervosa in patients with CD was 8.88% [95% CI: 6.4, 11.7] and 7.26% [95% CI: 0.23, 21.57], respectively. Moreover, the risk of anorexia nervosa in patients with CD was significantly higher than in the healthy population (relative risk [RR]: 1.48 [95% CI: 1.32, 1.64]). The rates of CD in patients with AN and EDs were 0.96% [95% CI: 0.15, 2.31] and 0.90% [95% CI: 0.56, 1.31], respectively. Moreover, the overall risk of CD in patients with AN was significantly higher compared with healthy adults (RR: 2.35 [95% CI: 1.27-3.44]).

DISCUSSION: The result of the present meta-analysis showed the high prevalence of EDs in patients with CD. Moreover, there was a significant bidirectional association between CD and EDs.