Polycystic ovarian syndrome and its potential association with bipolar disorder in patients with eating disorder

Exploration of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women with eating disorders (ED) is uncommon, and its association with bipolar disorder (BD) has been understudied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PCOS in women with ED in an outpatient program and to analyze the potential associations with BD. A total of 388 patients (88 with PCOS and 300 without PCOS) aged among 14 to 61 years were included in the study. Pelvic ultrasound, laboratory tests, and physical exams were performed to each participant. Bivariate analyses were carried out between PCOS, BD and other variables such as: psychiatric comorbidities, body mass index and type of ED. An association model was built. PCOS and BD prevalence were 22.7% and 13.1% respectively. The variables associated with PCOS were: BD type II, overweight or obesity and having an ED with binges and/or purges. When obesity and bulimic ED subtypes were controlled, patients with PCOS and BD type have 5.8 times higher risk of BD type II (OR = 5.85; 95% IC = 2.9-11.6). Comorbidities among these three pathologies are frequent, therefore its exploration and management should be considered.