COVID-19 Morbidity Among Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Matched Controlled Population-Based Study

Abstract

In this study we aimed to assess whether individuals with ASD are prone to higher infection rates, or to severe COVID-19 illness. Individuals with ASD and age-and gender-matched controlled counterparts (total n = 32,812) were assessed for COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations. Results indicated higher infection rates among individuals with ASD, with the largest effect among individuals aged 40-60 (OR = 2.05, 95%CI 1.33-3.15, p < .001), as well as higher odds for hospitalizations, evident primarily in men (OR = 2.40, 95%CI 1.14-5.02, p = 0.02) but not women. Medical and environmental risk factors may associate ASD with higher infection and morbidity rates. Healthcare policy providers should consider proactive steps to protect this population from the associated risks.

Effects of COVID-19 on children with autism

“…Schott et al [ 38 ] showed an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with autism, especially in those who live in a residential facility, those who receive home services from outside caregivers, who need a lengthy hospitalization, and those with comorbidities. Krieger et al [ 39 ] showed an increased rate of infection and hospitalization in persons with autism, especially men between 40 to 60 years. Karpur et al [ 40 ] showed that persons with autism are nine times more likely to be hospitalized and six times more likely to have extended hospital stays than those without autism.…”

COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study

“…The original database was originally mined by the beginning of February 2021 (see Krieger, Erez et al, 2021, Krieger, Grossman-Giron et al, 2021. Vaccination data were obtained from the CHS database by the end of February 2021.…”

“…The diagnosis of ASD was based on codes 299 and F84 of the ICD-9 and 10 (pervasive developmental disorders) including the following subtypes: infantile autism (current or active state), disintegrative psychosis, other specified early childhood psychosis, unspecified childhood psychosis, pervasive developmental disorder, childhood autism, atypical autism, Rett syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, other pervasive developmental disorders, and pervasive developmental disorder unspecified (Krieger, Erez et al, 2021;Rai et al, 2017, Krieger, Grossman-Giron et al, 2021. The ASD diagnoses were based on the registration of either a community psychiatrist or as documented on a discharge letter from a hospital.…”

“…With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised regarding the physical and mental effects of the disease on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A recent study conducted by Krieger, Erez, Weinstein, Cohen, andTzur Bitan, 2021, Krieger, Grossman-Giron et al, 2021) found a higher infection prevalence among individuals with ASD, as well as higher odds for hospitalization. It has been argued that individuals with ASD are prone to physical comorbidities, and are more likely to be infected by COVID-19 due to their difficulty in changing routine and adjusting to public health guidance (Eshraghi et al, 2020).…”

Special Olympics global report on COVID-19 vaccination and reasons not to vaccinate among adults with intellectual disabilities

“…COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2020 (6). People with specific diagnoses associated with ID are particularly prone to increased risk of hospitalization and death, including those with Down syndrome, Autism, cerebral palsy, and fragile X syndrome (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). There are numerous reasons why people with ID are particularly vulnerable to experiencing severe COVID-19 illness and death (12).…”