Health status of people with autism spectrum disorder
Journal
Advances in Autism
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Koceski, Antonio
DOI
10.1108/AIA-01-2021-0005
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to determine what changes occur in the health status of people with ASD
compared to neurotypical controls.
Design/methodology/approach
We performed a comparative analysis of data collected from 72 subjects with ASD and 75
neurotypical controls aged 3-24 years using the Rochester Health Status Survey IV (RHSS-IV). A
structured individual interview was conducted to compare the health status of subjects in Macedonia.
Findings
The majority of people with ASD take vitamins, supplements and use recommended drug therapies
compared to the neurotypical population and experience a larger number of side effects (p=0.000).
Compared to people with neurotypical development, children with ASD have a higher prevalence of
oral ulcers (31.9% vs. 17.3%; p=0.039), changes in neurological health status- epilepsy (19.4% vs.
2.7%; p=0.001) and ADD/ADHD (only persons with ASD-19.4%; p=0.000); respiratory diseasesangina (30.5% vs. 8%; p=0.000), rhinitis and / or sinusitis (40.3% vs. 17.3%; p=0.02); changes in the
gastrointestinal system- constipation (31.9% vs. 10.6%; p=0.02), intestinal inflammation (19.4% vs.
8%; p=0.043), permeable intestines (only persons with ASD - 13.9%; p=0.000) and the presence of
the fungus Candida albicans (19.4% vs. 4%; p=0.043); psychiatric disorders- sleep problems (only in
people with ASD - 18%; p=0.000) and tics (6.9% vs. 2.6%; p=0.25), and skin diseaseseczema/allergic skin rash (36.1% vs. 18.7%; p=0.02).
Originality
Many children with ASD have health problems. These findings support and complement the
professional literature on their mutual causality.
The aim of this study is to determine what changes occur in the health status of people with ASD
compared to neurotypical controls.
Design/methodology/approach
We performed a comparative analysis of data collected from 72 subjects with ASD and 75
neurotypical controls aged 3-24 years using the Rochester Health Status Survey IV (RHSS-IV). A
structured individual interview was conducted to compare the health status of subjects in Macedonia.
Findings
The majority of people with ASD take vitamins, supplements and use recommended drug therapies
compared to the neurotypical population and experience a larger number of side effects (p=0.000).
Compared to people with neurotypical development, children with ASD have a higher prevalence of
oral ulcers (31.9% vs. 17.3%; p=0.039), changes in neurological health status- epilepsy (19.4% vs.
2.7%; p=0.001) and ADD/ADHD (only persons with ASD-19.4%; p=0.000); respiratory diseasesangina (30.5% vs. 8%; p=0.000), rhinitis and / or sinusitis (40.3% vs. 17.3%; p=0.02); changes in the
gastrointestinal system- constipation (31.9% vs. 10.6%; p=0.02), intestinal inflammation (19.4% vs.
8%; p=0.043), permeable intestines (only persons with ASD - 13.9%; p=0.000) and the presence of
the fungus Candida albicans (19.4% vs. 4%; p=0.043); psychiatric disorders- sleep problems (only in
people with ASD - 18%; p=0.000) and tics (6.9% vs. 2.6%; p=0.25), and skin diseaseseczema/allergic skin rash (36.1% vs. 18.7%; p=0.02).
Originality
Many children with ASD have health problems. These findings support and complement the
professional literature on their mutual causality.
Subjects
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