TY - JOUR
T1 - A meta-analysis of mortality rates in eating disorders
T2 - An update of the literature from 2010 to 2024
AU - Krug, Isabel
AU - Liu, Shanshan
AU - Portingale, Jade
AU - Croce, Sarah
AU - Dar, Beya
AU - Obleada, Katrina
AU - Satheesh, Veena
AU - Wong, Meila
AU - Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/3
Y1 - 2025/3
N2 - Elevated mortality rates have been reported in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, no meta-analysis in the past decade has provided an updated, comprehensive synthesis of mortality across all ED diagnoses while exploring potential moderating factors. We conducted a systematic search in four databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science) from 2010 to 29 Oct 2024. Studies that reported standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) in individuals with a diagnosed ED (including formal diagnoses and self-reports) were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool estimates across studies. Meta-regression was conducted to examine predictors of heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of SMRs of effect sizes revealed elevated mortality risk for individuals with an ED (regardless of ED subtype); weighted SMR = 3.39 (95 % CIs: 2.90, 3.95), p < .001, I2 = 95.1 %, Q(df=73) = 1492.39, p < .001. SMRs were highest for individuals with anorexia nervosa (5.21; k = 30), followed by eating disorder not otherwise specified (2.51; k = 8); bulimia nervisa (2.20; k = 18) and binge eating disorder (1.46; k = 3). Individuals with EDs demonstrate markedly heightened mortality rates, especially among those with anorexia nervosa. Our findings are crucial for identifying key factors influencing mortality in EDs, guiding targeted interventions to reduce preventable deaths.
AB - Elevated mortality rates have been reported in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, no meta-analysis in the past decade has provided an updated, comprehensive synthesis of mortality across all ED diagnoses while exploring potential moderating factors. We conducted a systematic search in four databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science) from 2010 to 29 Oct 2024. Studies that reported standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) in individuals with a diagnosed ED (including formal diagnoses and self-reports) were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool estimates across studies. Meta-regression was conducted to examine predictors of heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of SMRs of effect sizes revealed elevated mortality risk for individuals with an ED (regardless of ED subtype); weighted SMR = 3.39 (95 % CIs: 2.90, 3.95), p < .001, I2 = 95.1 %, Q(df=73) = 1492.39, p < .001. SMRs were highest for individuals with anorexia nervosa (5.21; k = 30), followed by eating disorder not otherwise specified (2.51; k = 8); bulimia nervisa (2.20; k = 18) and binge eating disorder (1.46; k = 3). Individuals with EDs demonstrate markedly heightened mortality rates, especially among those with anorexia nervosa. Our findings are crucial for identifying key factors influencing mortality in EDs, guiding targeted interventions to reduce preventable deaths.
KW - Anorexia nervosa
KW - Binge eating disorder
KW - Bulimia nervosa
KW - EDNOS
KW - Eating disorders
KW - Mortality
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102547
DO - 10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102547
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39889307
AN - SCOPUS:85216460147
SN - 0272-7358
VL - 116
JO - Clinical Psychology Review
JF - Clinical Psychology Review
M1 - 102547
ER -