A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Winter, 2023 | Number 1, Volume 37
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a significantly elevated risk of developing cardiometabolic problems, according to a new meta-analysis.
Chathurika Dhanasekara and colleagues reviewed 34 studies involving more than 276,000 participants with autism and more than 7,733,000 participants without autism. They report, “[I]ndividuals with autism had a higher associated risk of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease, but not hypertension or stroke. The associated risks of developing diabetes and hypertension were even higher among children with autism.”
The researchers conclude, “Results suggest that the associated increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases should prompt clinicians to vigilantly monitor individuals with autism for potential contributors, signs of cardiometabolic disease, and their complications.”
Commenting on the study, researcher Elizabeth Weir says there is a need for more research into the elevated mortality rate in individuals with ASD. “In particular,” she says, “there is a paucity of research on the chronic physical health problems among autistic people as they age, with only a handful of studies assessing chronic health burden among those older than 35 years.”
“Association between autism spectrum disorders and cardiometabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Chathurika S. Dhanasekara, Dominic Ancona, Leticia Cortes, Amy Hu, Afrina H. Rimu, Christina RobohmLeavitt, Drew Payne, Sarah M. Wakefield, Ann M. Mastergeorge, and Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa, JAMA Pediatrics, January 30, 2023 (online). Address: Chathurika S. Dhanasekara, Department of Laboratory Science and Primary Care, School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430.
