Autistic adults are “significantly more” vulnerable to acid reflux, new research shows.
New research shows autistic adults are more vulnerable to digestive issues. Image by rawpixel.com
Medics at the MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, carried out the research.
They found autistic adults are also more vulnerable to throat and chest conditions linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Heartburn and regurgitation
Acid reflux causes troublesome symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation.
The researchers analysed health records for 2,410,180 patients aged over 18 who suffered from the condition.
Up to 4,430 of these US patients had autism.
Symptoms common in children too
Previous research showed that acid reflux-related symptoms were the third most common in autistic children after constipation and diarrhoea.
Biomedical charity Thinking Autism said autistic people may express the pain of the condition through aggression or self-harming.
Professionals and carers can wrongly link these behaviours to sensory overload or as “just a part of autism”.
Acid reflux implicated in residential care placements
The charity says it has had reports of people “treated with antipsychotics, or even removed from their families and placed in residential care, as a result of behavioural issues” linked to acid reflux.
It’s unclear why autistic adults are more prone to the condition.
The researchers say inflammation linked to an imbalanced immune response may be a factor.
This links with the fact that acid reflux and wheezing are inflammatory conditions.
Also, gut disorders overall are more common in autism.
Healthcare inequalities
Treatment of autistic adults with acid reflux disease is inconsistent and may reflect healthcare inequalities.
Autistic patients were more likely to be treated with a combination of therapies than those without autism.
The researchers say it may be more difficult to assess autistic adults. This may cause over-treatment or under-treatment, as well as the use of multiple therapies.
The journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility published the research.
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Published: 14 December 2021
