Clinical characterization of Co-morbid autoimmune disease and eating disorders: a retrospective chart review

Research suggests a link between autoimmune illnesses (AI) and eating disorders (ED). We retrospectively reviewed charts of adolescent patients presenting for eating disorder treatment. We compared the presentation and treatment course for those with an ED and comorbid AI [with (GI-AI, N = 59) or without (non-GI, N = 21) gastrointestinal inflammation] with matched ED-only cases. The sample was overwhelmingly female, with an average age of 15.40. Weight gain trajectories differed across groups, with similar rates of weight gain between controls and non GI-AI cases and with a lower rate of weight gain for individuals with comorbid GI-AI. Over half (56%) of patients reported an AI diagnosis prior to ED; 38% reported an AI diagnosis following ED, and 6% reported ED and AI simultaneous diagnosis. On presentation, ED-only controls had higher rates of comorbid anxiety than cases in either AI group, while those with non-GI AI were more likely to report depression. Mean total GI symptoms, % goal weight at presentation, vital sign instability, and markers of refeeding syndrome did not differ across groups. Health care professionals treating patients with either condition should have a low threshold for asking additional questions to identify the presence of the other condition.