PurposeTo investigate the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group of women, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in childhood.Patients and methodsProspective longitudinal 16–19 years follow-up study of 100 Swedish females diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD in childhood/adolescence. Seventy-seven of the women were included in the current sub-study, using validated measures of pain perception and quality of life.ResultsA large majority of the women (76.6%) reported chronic pain. HRQoL was low overall and lower still for those reporting chronic pain. Women with ADHD who had ongoing treatment with stimulants reported a significant lower prevalence of chronic widespread pain (CWP) than those not treated.ConclusionComorbidity with chronic pain is common in women with ASD and/or ADHD and important to address in the clinic since it is associated with an already low HRQoL. Treatment for ADHD might reduce the pain in some cases.

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Objective: Investigate diagnostic stability, daily life functioning and social situation in women diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD in childhood. Methods: Prospective 17 to 20-year follow-up study of 100 girls of whom 92 diagnosed in childhood with main DSM-IV ADHD or ASD, and 60 comparison girls. Ninety and 54 of these women were examined ( M = 27, 4 years old) with semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, close relatives were interviewed. Results: At follow-up, 89% of women with ADHD or ASD in childhood still met the criteria for either of these diagnoses. Very few women were “in remission.” In 34% the main diagnosis shifted from ADHD to ASD. Women with ADHD and ASD had significantly more disability and unfavorable social situation than comparison women. Conclusion: Women with ADHD and/or ASD in childhood had impairing problems 17 to 20 years later. Early ADHD changed to ASD in adulthood in some cases. Nearly all with ASD met criteria for ADHD as adults.