Somatic disorders in individuals with autism: identification of biological and social risk factors

Autism is a common lifelong condition.

Autistic individuals are at a high risk of somatic disorders, such as epilepsy, and are at an increased risk for premature mortality.

A better understanding of co-occurring somatic disorders in autistic individuals is thus critical from the perspective of improving public health in marginalized groups, yet existing research is limited by a descriptive focus. Our overall aim is to identify risk factors for somatic disorders in autistic individuals.

We will optimize Swedish registry data, including linkage with a large genotyped sample, using powerful longitudinal study designs. First, we will test whether genetic factors account for the association between autism and somatic disorders.

We will triangulate three family-based designs, and utilize contemporary molecular genetic approaches to assess genetic links between autism and somatic disorders.

Second, we will assess whether the psychosocial adversity faced by autistic individuals impact on their health using longitudinal cohort designs.

Finally, real-world data will allow us to circumvent the challenges of conducting randomized controlled trials to examine the impact of psychotropic medication use on somatic health in autistic individuals.

This project will guide the field of somatic health in autistic individuals from descriptive epidemiology towards a mechanistic understanding, which will ultimately lead to improved prevention, detection, and treatment of these disorders.