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Exploring Transdiagnostic Eating Disorder Symptoms and Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction Symptoms in Individuals With
Isabelle Garcia-Fischer1, Sophie R Abber2,3, Casey Silvernale4
1Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Objective:
Individuals with connective tissue disorders (CTDs) commonly experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms resulting from disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) and may attempt to manage GI distress with dietary restriction. Among adults with CTDs, we aimed to: (1) identify the prevalence and characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms (ARFID+) and other eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, etc.) symptoms (Other-ED+), and (2) explore the relationship between GI symptom severity and ARFID+/Other-ED+.
Method:
Participants (N = 205; ages 18-71 years; 94% female) completed surveys to assess ARFID+/Other-ED+, likely DGBI diagnoses, and GI symptom severity. We calculated the prevalence of ARFID+/Other-ED+ and likely DGBI and compared the demographics and symptom severity of those with vs. without ARFID+ or Other-ED+. We tested whether upper and/or lower GI symptom severity was associated with the presence of: (1) Other-ED+ or (2) ARFID+, controlling for age.
Results:
Likely DGBI were common in CTDs (89%), as were Other-ED+ (50.2%) with lower frequency of ARFID+ (18%). While controlling for age, lower GI symptom severity was associated with odds of Other-ED+, but not ARFID+.
Discussion:
Clinically significant Other-ED+ were 3× more prevalent than ARFID+ in adults with CTD, possibly driven by heightened lower GI symptom severity. Future research should clarify the temporality of Other-ED+ onset in the context of CTDs and relation to GI symptoms.
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