Survey study, 2016
Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating?
Yes. Women with PMDD had 7 times higher odds of bulimia nervosa and women with PMS had 2.5 times higher odds of bulimia, but neither was strongly linked to binge-eating disorder.
What they did
Analyzed data from 8,694 women in a national survey from 2001 to 2003, asking about lifetime history of bulimia, binge-eating disorder, PMS, and PMDD. Results were adjusted for age, race, income, education, BMI, age at first period, birth control use, and other mental health conditions.
What they found
42.4% had PMS and 4.2% had PMDD. 1.0% had bulimia and 1.8% had binge-eating disorder. Among those with bulimia: 55.4% had PMS and 17.4% had PMDD. After adjusting for other factors, PMDD was associated with 7.2 times higher odds of bulimia (95% CI 2.3-22.4) and PMS with 2.5 times higher odds (95% CI 1.1-5.7).
What it means for you
There is a strong link between PMDD and bulimia nervosa. The mood and appetite symptoms of premenstrual conditions might trigger binge eating and purging. This is a large national study, which is a strength. However, association does not mean one causes the other.
42.4%
had PMS
4.2%
had PMDD
7.2
odds ratio for PMDD and bulimia
About the study
- Original title
- Association of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder in a nationally representative epidemiological sample
- Authors
- Nobles CJ, Thomas JJ, Valentine SE et al.
- Journal
- The International journal of eating disorders
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 8,694
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/eat.22539
Topics
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