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. 2021 Apr;25(3):681-694.
doi: 10.1177/1362361320953652. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Increased prevalence of non-communicable physical health conditions among autistic adults

Elizabeth Weir  1 , Carrie Allison  1 , Varun Warrier  1 , Simon Baron-Cohen  1
Affiliations

Increased prevalence of non-communicable physical health conditions among autistic adults

Elizabeth Weir et al. Autism. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Previous research indicates autistic individuals die at a younger age than others and that this is possibly due in part to chronic physical health conditions. The present study used an anonymous, online survey to determine how common certain physical health conditions are among autistic adults, compared with non-autistic adults. We found autistic adults are more likely to develop heart conditions, lung conditions, and diabetes than non-autistic adults. Autistic females may be at higher risk of developing certain conditions (including respiratory conditions, asthma, and prediabetes) than autistic males. Finally, autistic individuals have increased health risks even when considering lifestyle factors (such as smoking, alcohol, and body mass index). This is still a relatively small study, and future research needs to confirm these findings and identify why these risks exist.

Keywords: adults; autism spectrum disorders; health services; medical comorbidity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Unadjusted prevalence of cancers, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions, and diabetic conditions.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Unadjusted prevalence of specific non-communicable diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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