Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) have discovered that adults living with chronic pain and/or chronic fatigue conditions are dramatically more likely to screen positively for autism and ADHD than the general population.
The study compared 83 adults with chronic pain and/or chronic fatigue conditions, such as fibromyalgia or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) with 91 adults who did not have any major health issues. Researchers found that those with chronic pain/chronic fatigue were 13 times more likely to meet criteria for ADHD and 14 times more likely to meet criteria for autism.
The research also highlights joint hypermobility, a common variation of connective tissue in the body, as a key biological link that might explain why chronic pain and chronic fatigue conditions occur more often in neurodivergent people.
The team used screening questionnaires that test for autism and ADHD, but it is important to understand that these questionnaires cannot replace formal assessments by trained medical professionals.
Listen to doctors Jessica Eccles and Lisa Quadt talk about the study in the above video.
Dr Lisa Quadt, Principal Research Fellow in Psychiatry at BSMS and lead researcher, says: “Even though most of our participants did not have an official diagnosis, up to 70% of people in the chronic pain and chronic fatigue group met initial screening criteria for autism and ADHD. This points to a huge unmet need in this population. Recognising these links earlier could improve access to appropriate care and significantly enhance quality of life.”
The team recommends routine screening for autism, ADHD and joint hypermobility in chronic pain/fatigue services, and greater awareness of chronic pain and fatigue in neurodevelopmental services.
Read the full paper here >