A study conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and the University of California, San Francisco, examined the health status of adults on the autism spectrum. The study analyzed a large, diverse, insured population of adults with autism (ASD) and compared them to a control group without ASD diagnoses. The findings revealed that adults with ASD had significantly higher rates of various psychiatric and medical conditions compared to controls. These included depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide attempts. Medical conditions such as immune disorders, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders, seizures, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were also more common in adults with ASD. Rarer conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease were also more prevalent. The study found that women with ASD were more likely to be diagnosed with certain psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression, compared to men. However, men with ASD were more likely to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study also noted that adults with ASD were more likely to be White, non-Hispanic, and less likely to be Asian than controls. Healthcare expenses were covered by Medicaid for a higher percentage of the ASD group compared to controls. The study highlights the need for improved strategies for delivering effective health education and care to adults with ASD. It also suggests that factors such as social isolation, communication difficulties, and lack of health education may contribute to the higher rates of psychiatric and medical conditions in adults with ASD. The study also notes that the use of certain medications to treat psychiatric and neurological conditions may increase the risk of other health issues. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the poorer health status of adults with ASD. The study was funded by the Special Hope Foundation and was published in the journal "Autism."A study conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and the University of California, San Francisco, examined the health status of adults on the autism spectrum. The study analyzed a large, diverse, insured population of adults with autism (ASD) and compared them to a control group without ASD diagnoses. The findings revealed that adults with ASD had significantly higher rates of various psychiatric and medical conditions compared to controls. These included depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide attempts. Medical conditions such as immune disorders, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders, seizures, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were also more common in adults with ASD. Rarer conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease were also more prevalent. The study found that women with ASD were more likely to be diagnosed with certain psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression, compared to men. However, men with ASD were more likely to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study also noted that adults with ASD were more likely to be White, non-Hispanic, and less likely to be Asian than controls. Healthcare expenses were covered by Medicaid for a higher percentage of the ASD group compared to controls. The study highlights the need for improved strategies for delivering effective health education and care to adults with ASD. It also suggests that factors such as social isolation, communication difficulties, and lack of health education may contribute to the higher rates of psychiatric and medical conditions in adults with ASD. The study also notes that the use of certain medications to treat psychiatric and neurological conditions may increase the risk of other health issues. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the poorer health status of adults with ASD. The study was funded by the Special Hope Foundation and was published in the journal "Autism."