Central sensitivity syndromes may be very common in those with ASD

Conditions called “central sensitivity syndromes” (CSS) may be very common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study. 

Central sensitivity syndromes include such conditions as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). These conditions are believed to involve a process called central sensitization, in which the central nervous system becomes chronically upregulated, lowering the threshold for pain and causing increased sensitivity to other sensations such as touch or sound. 

To determine how common CSS is in individuals with ASD, Sarah Grant and colleagues analyzed data collected from 973 autistic adults (410 men and 563 women) in the Netherlands. The researchers report, “Twenty-one percent of participants reported one or more CSS diagnoses, and 60 percent scored at or above the clinical cut-off for a CSS.” Women were significantly more likely to report having a CSS diagnosis than men and experienced a greater number of CSS symptoms. Further analysis showed that sensory sensitivity, anxiety, age, and gender were significant predictors of CSS symptoms in individuals with ASD, “with sensory sensitivity and anxiety fully mediating the relationship between autistic traits and CSS symptoms.” 

The researchers conclude, “CSS diagnoses and symptoms appear to be very common in the autistic population. Increased awareness of an association between autism and central sensitization should inform clinicians and guide diagnostic practice, particularly for women where CSS are common and autism under-recognized.” However, they note that more research is needed to confirm their results because, among other limitations, their study did not include a control group and ethnic minorities were under-represented.

Citations

“Autism and chronic ill health: an observational study of symptoms and diagnoses of central sensitivity syndromes in autistic adults,” Sarah Grant, Sam Norton, Ricarda F. Weiland, Anke M. Scheeren, Sander Begeer, and Rosa A. Hoekstra, Molecular Autism, February 2022 (free online). Address: Sarah Grant, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK, [email protected]