The association between eating disorders and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review

A plausible association between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and eating disorders (EDs) is suggested by the current research, although this potential relationship is poorly defined. This systematic review seeks to better understand the association between AIS and EDs. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles that assessed the combination of AIS and EDs. Twelve articles were included in the final review. Six of the twelve studies were assessed as having serious risk of bias, and one was assessed to have moderate risk of bias. Three plausible associations are suggested from studies in this review: (1) individuals with AIS tend to have lower BMIs, (2) there is little evidence to suggest that individuals with AIS exhibit increased ED psychopathology, and (3) limited studies using sample cohorts of individuals diagnosed with EDs suggest an increased likelihood of also being diagnosed with AIS. Additional longitudinal research in the ED population is needed to better understand the association between EDs and AIS and whether EDs confer increased risk to develop AIS. Eating disorders and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are illnesses with a similar age of onset and with current research suggesting a potential relationship. A few plausible findings are suggested from this systematic review: (1) individuals with AIS tend to have lower BMIs, (2) there is little evidence to suggest that individuals with AIS exhibit increased eating disorder psychopathology, and (3) limited studies using sample cohorts of individuals diagnosed with eating disorders suggest an increased likelihood of also being diagnosed with AIS. However, any proposed associations are limited based on the small number of mostly observational studies, many of which were assessed to have an increased risk of bias. A potential mechanism for this relationship is discussed, including the impact of starvation toward bone quality and abnormal connective tissue.