Jennifer Tabler1, Rebecca L Utz2, Ken R Smith3,4, Heidi A Hanson4,5, Claudia Geist2,6. 1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas. 2. Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 3. Department of Family and Consumer Studies, Pedigree and Population Resource, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 4. Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 5. Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 6. Division of Gender Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to examine the long-term reproductive consequences of eating disorders (ED), to assess variation in reproductive outcomes by ED type, and to examine reproductive differences between women with previous ED diagnosis and their discordant sisters. METHOD: Using a sample of women with previous ED diagnosis generated by the Utah Population Database, this study compares the fecundity (parity) and age at first birth of women by ED subtype (bulimia nervosa [BN], anorexia nervosa [AN], and ED not otherwise specified [EDNOS]) (n = 1,579). We also employed general population match case-control, and discordant sibling pair analyses, to estimate the magnitude of association between EDs and reproductive outcomes. RESULTS: Women previously diagnosed with AN or EDNOS experienced delayed first birth (HRR = 0.33, HRR = 0.34, respectively) and lower parity (IRR = 0.19, IRR = 0.22, respectively) relative to BN (p < .05), the general population (p < .05), and closest-aged sisters (p < .05). Women previously diagnosed with BN experienced more moderate reductions and delays to their reproduction, and had similar reproductive outcomes as their discordant sisters. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should consider ED type and family fertility histories when addressing the long-term reproductive health needs of women with prior AN, BN, or EDNOS diagnosis. Women previously diagnosed with AN or EDNOS likely experience the greatest reductions and delays in reproduction across their lifespan. Reproductive health screenings may be especially critical for the wellbeing of women with a history of AN or EDNOS.
OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to examine the long-term reproductive consequences of eating disorders (ED), to assess variation in reproductive outcomes by ED type, and to examine reproductive differences between women with previous ED diagnosis and their discordant sisters. METHOD: Using a sample of women with previous ED diagnosis generated by the Utah Population Database, this study compares the fecundity (parity) and age at first birth of women by ED subtype (bulimia nervosa [BN], anorexia nervosa [AN], and ED not otherwise specified [EDNOS]) (n = 1,579). We also employed general population match case-control, and discordant sibling pair analyses, to estimate the magnitude of association between EDs and reproductive outcomes. RESULTS:Women previously diagnosed with AN or EDNOS experienced delayed first birth (HRR = 0.33, HRR = 0.34, respectively) and lower parity (IRR = 0.19, IRR = 0.22, respectively) relative to BN (p < .05), the general population (p < .05), and closest-aged sisters (p < .05). Women previously diagnosed with BN experienced more moderate reductions and delays to their reproduction, and had similar reproductive outcomes as their discordant sisters. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should consider ED type and family fertility histories when addressing the long-term reproductive health needs of women with prior AN, BN, or EDNOS diagnosis. Women previously diagnosed with AN or EDNOS likely experience the greatest reductions and delays in reproduction across their lifespan. Reproductive health screenings may be especially critical for the wellbeing of women with a history of AN or EDNOS.
Authors: Jennifer Tabler; Rachel M Schmitz; Claudia Geist; Rebecca L Utz; Ken R Smith Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2018-07-02 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Leah M Hecht; Ashley Hadwiger; Shivali Patel; Bryan R Hecht; Amy Loree; Brian K Ahmedani; Lisa R Miller-Matero Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2021-06-27 Impact factor: 3.633