Research Finds Increased Cumulative Risk for Respiratory, Digestive, and Other Diseases, Especially for Females
Danish researchers have revealed that children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a notably higher immediate risk of developing a wide range of physical diseases compared to those without ASD. Their new study analyzed 13 disease categories and found that those on the spectrum had a higher risk for eight of these, including respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary diseases, starting from birth and continuing into adulthood. Notably, females with ASD experienced a greater cumulative risk for most physical diseases compared to males, especially after age 10. For instance, females had a higher risk for respiratory and digestive system diseases beyond childhood. This study emphasizes the significant burden of physical comorbidities in ASD and stresses the importance of comprehensive health care that addresses both the mental and physical needs of individuals with the disorder. It also points to the need for further research into the genetic and environmental factors that might contribute to the heightened risk of physical diseases in this population.
