Increased prevalence of lower extremity soft tissue injuries and surgeries in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
7-20-2023
Journal
The Physician and sportsmedicine
DOI
10.1080/00913847.2023.2237988
Keywords
Sports medicine; ankle injuries; eating disorders; knee injuries; orthopedic surgery; soft tissue injuries
Abstract
PURPOSE: An abundance of literature exists linking eating disorders and fracture risk. However, no studies, to our knowledge, have investigated the impact of eating disorders on lower extremity soft tissue injury or surgery risk. The purpose of this study was to determine if anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are associated with prevalence of lower extremity soft tissue injuries and surgeries. METHODS: Patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa over 2010-2020 were identified through the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in the PearlDiver Claims Database. Patients were matched by age, gender, comorbidities, record dates, and region to control groups without anorexia or bulimia. Soft tissue injuries were identified through ICD codes, and surgeries were identified through Current Procedural Terminology codes. Differences in relative prevalence were analyzed using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Patients with anorexia had a significantly increased prevalence of meniscus tears (RR = 1.57, CI 1.22-2.03, = 0.001) or deltoid ligament sprains (RR = 1.83, CI 1.10-3.03, = 0.025), and patients with bulimia had a significantly increased prevalence of meniscus tears (RR = 1.98, CI 1.56-2.51, < 0.001), medial collateral ligament sprains (RR = 3.07, CI 1.72-5.48, < 0.001), any cruciate ligament tears (RR = 2.14, CI 1.29-3.53, = 0.004), unspecified ankle sprains (RR = 1.56, CI 1.22-1.99, < 0.001), or any ankle ligament sprains (RR = 1.27, CI 1.07-1.52, = 0.008). Patients with anorexia had a significantly increased prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (RR = 2.83, CI 1.12-7.17, = 0.037) or any meniscus surgeries (RR = 1.54, CI 1.03-2.29, = 0.042), and patients with bulimia had a significantly increased prevalence of partial meniscectomies (RR = 1.80, CI 1.26-2.58, = 0.002) or any meniscus surgeries (RR = 1.83, CI 1.29-2.60, < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anorexia and bulimia are associated with increased prevalence of soft tissue injuries and surgeries. Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of this risk, and patients presenting to clinics should be informed of the risks associated with these diagnoses and provided with resources promoting recovery to help prevent further injury or surgery.
APA Citation
Schmerler, Jessica; Chiu, Anthony K.; Agarwal, Amil R.; Kreulen, R Timothy; Srikumaran, Uma; and Best, Matthew J., "Increased prevalence of lower extremity soft tissue injuries and surgeries in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3055.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3055
Department
School of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Works