Journal article
Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Publicly-Insured Autistic People
Journal of autism and developmental disorders
29 Aug 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Menopause is a normal part of aging and in the general population is associated with chronic conditions that impact health, mortality, and well-being. Menopause is experienced differently by autistic individuals, although no studies have investigated this topic in a large sample. The purpose of this study was to investigate rates of, and factors associated with symptomatic menopause among autistic individuals and to identify the prevalence of co-occurring conditions in symptomatic individuals. We included autistic females aged 35-70 years enrolled for 10 + months in 2014-2016 Medicare and/or Medicaid (n = 26,904), excluding those with gender dysphoria. Those with symptomatic menopause were compared to a non-symptomatic reference group on demographic, enrollment characteristics, and co-occurring conditions through logistic regression. Approximately 4% of publicly-insured autistic females aged 46-70 years had symptomatic menopause in their medical records. Intellectual disability was associated with a lower likelihood of symptomatic menopause, and being Medicare-enrolled or dual-enrolled was associated with higher likelihood of having symptomatic menopause recorded. In adjusted models, rates of ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, headache/migraine, altered sensory experiences, altered sexual function, and sleep disturbance were significantly higher in the symptomatic menopause sample compared to the reference group. More work to better support autistic women in discussing menopausal symptoms and co-occurring conditions with primary care providers is needed, particularly among those for whom self-report of symptoms are more challenging to ascertain. Factors associated with specific types of health care coverage warrant greater investigation to support better identification.Menopause is a normal part of aging and in the general population is associated with chronic conditions that impact health, mortality, and well-being. Menopause is experienced differently by autistic individuals, although no studies have investigated this topic in a large sample. The purpose of this study was to investigate rates of, and factors associated with symptomatic menopause among autistic individuals and to identify the prevalence of co-occurring conditions in symptomatic individuals. We included autistic females aged 35-70 years enrolled for 10 + months in 2014-2016 Medicare and/or Medicaid (n = 26,904), excluding those with gender dysphoria. Those with symptomatic menopause were compared to a non-symptomatic reference group on demographic, enrollment characteristics, and co-occurring conditions through logistic regression. Approximately 4% of publicly-insured autistic females aged 46-70 years had symptomatic menopause in their medical records. Intellectual disability was associated with a lower likelihood of symptomatic menopause, and being Medicare-enrolled or dual-enrolled was associated with higher likelihood of having symptomatic menopause recorded. In adjusted models, rates of ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, headache/migraine, altered sensory experiences, altered sexual function, and sleep disturbance were significantly higher in the symptomatic menopause sample compared to the reference group. More work to better support autistic women in discussing menopausal symptoms and co-occurring conditions with primary care providers is needed, particularly among those for whom self-report of symptoms are more challenging to ascertain. Factors associated with specific types of health care coverage warrant greater investigation to support better identification.
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Details
- Title
- Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Publicly-Insured Autistic People
- Creators
- Teal W Benevides - Augusta UniversityBarb Cook - University of WollongongLaura G Klinger - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillKiley J McLean - Drexel UniversityGregory L Wallace - George Washington UniversityMeghan E Carey - Drexel UniversityWei-Lin Lee - Drexel UniversityJonas Ventimiglia - Drexel UniversityLauren D Schiff - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLindsay Shea - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of autism and developmental disorders
- Publisher
- SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
No Statement Available
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001302275600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85202610116
- Other Identifier
- 991021902615604721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Developmental