Objective
To determine the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) in women with polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS) and the effects of EDs on health-related quality of life.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
University practice.
Patient(s)
Women with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria; n = 148) and controls seen for routine gynecologic
care (n = 106) from 2015 to 2016.
Intervention(s)
Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ),
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire
(PCOSQ).
Main Outcome Measure(s)
EDE-Q and NEQ scores, prevalence of bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED),
and night eating syndrome (NES).
Result(s)
Women with PCOS were at an increased risk for overall abnormal EDE-Q scores compared
with controls (12.16% vs. 2.83%; odds ratio [OR], 4.75; 95% confidence interval [CI],
1.36, 16.58). Clinically significant elevated scores were noted for shape and weight
concern. In unadjusted analysis, body mass index (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.11), elevated
depression score (OR, 5.43; 95% CI, 1.85, 15.88), and elevated anxiety score (OR,
6.60; 95% CI, 2.45, 17.76) were associated with an abnormal EDE-Q global score. In
the multivariable model, PCOS was associated with abnormal EDE-Q global score (adjusted
OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 1.16, 18.80). Elevated EDE-Q scores inversely correlated with PCOSQ
scores (r = −0.57). The prevalence of BN was 6.1%, of BED was 17.6%, and of NES was
12.9% in women with PCOS, with no differences compared with controls.
Conclusion(s)
Women with PCOS, especially those with concurrent anxiety symptoms but independent
of obesity, have a significantly increased risk of abnormal EDE-Q scores. Our findings
suggest the need for routine screening for ED in this population.
Key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: January 16, 2017
Accepted:
December 12,
2016
Received in revised form:
December 1,
2016
Received:
October 27,
2016
Footnotes
I.L. has nothing to disclose. L.G.C. has nothing to disclose. S.S. has nothing to disclose. M.E.S. has nothing to disclose. M.D.S. has nothing to disclose. K.C.A. has nothing to disclose. A.D. has nothing to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
©2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Published by Elsevier Inc.
