Autism and autoimmune disorders

[jackmt]

In our Asperger's support group, we learned of a study (there are several) wherein three groups were studied: healthy people on the autism spectrum, people with an autoimmune disorder not on the spectrum, and healthy people as a control group. It turns out that people on the spectrum are much more likely to have a 1st degree relative with an autoimmune disorder than are the group with the autoimmune disorder!

I believe the correlation to be even stronger, because for instance, my father would have been put in the wrong group as nobody in the family had yet been Dxed as on the spectrum. He died of an autoimmune disorder listed in the study. Some of them were MS, ALS, Type I diabetes, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Lupus. I have 1st cousins on my father's side that died of MS and Type I diabetes, and my father from Wegener's.

Asperger's runs through my father's side of the family. Can anyone relate to this?

 

[MoeSzyslak]

Yes. i have hashimotos thyroiditis. As a kid i also had alopecia for awhile, which i just learned is considered a autoimmune disorder.

 

[jackmt]

Yes. i have hashimotos thyroiditis. As a kid i also had alopecia for awhile, which i just learned is considered a autoimmune disorder.

I believe Hasimoto's was listed in the study. The other doesn't sound familiar. I will try to list a link to the report. I have a copy somewhere here

 

[jackmt]

Found it.

"Increased prevalence of familial autoimmunity in probands with Pervasive Developmental Disorders." Thayne L. Sweeten, Suzanne L. Bowyer(?somewhat illegible), David J. Posey, Gary M. Halberstadt, and Christopher J. McDougle in 'Pediatrics' vol. 112, no. 5, November 2003 e420(?) (electronic publication)

Another possible reference, though possibly just the review of the first: Autism Research Review International; "Rate of autoimmune disorders high in autism families."