Brief Report: Impact of COVID-19 in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of a National Private Claims Insurance Database

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a detrimental impact on individuals with disabilities. Data from FAIR Health's FH® NPIC (National Private Insurance Claims) database, one of the nation's largest databases of private insurance claim records, were analyzed to understand the experiences of individuals with ASD in the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that individuals with ASD + ID were nine times more likely to be hospitalized following COVID-19 infection (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 6.9-12.5) and were nearly six times more likely to have an elevated length of hospital stay (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 3.5-10.1) compared to those without ASD + ID. These findings point to the need for prioritizing access to vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection and morbidities. This is the first study to illustrate a higher likelihood of hospitalization and elevated length of hospital stay from COVID-19 in individuals with ASD and other comorbidities.

A Systematic Review on the Impact of the Social Confinement on People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In addition, it is noted that some disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be a risk factor for infection and disease [ 16 , 17 ]. It is also noted that patients with COVID-19 and ASD plus intellectual disability (ID) showed longer and more intense hospital stays [ 18 ] and therefore represent a high-risk population who should have access to vaccines as a priority [ 19 ]. Added to the risk of contagion, the stress generated by the pandemic situation, uncertainty, isolation, and interruption of treatments showed that the ASD population and patients with mental health disorders can be more vulnerable and may present an increase in the intensity and frequency of comorbid symptoms (especially those related to anxiety and depression) [ 20 , 21 ].…”

A Pediatrician’s Guide to Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum in Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Beyond: Retrospect and Prospect

“…Early in the pandemic, most children did not appear to become severely ill from COVID- 19 compared to adults ( 2 ), though the COVID-19 landscape is ever-changing with the emergence of new variants. However, analysis during the pandemic found that autistic children without comorbidities were hospitalized at much higher rates than other children, and even more so if they had autism with comorbid intellectual disability ( 3 ). Comparatively, autistic children were hospitalized at higher rates than children with other medical problems including obesity and heart failure ( 3 ).…”

“…However, analysis during the pandemic found that autistic children without comorbidities were hospitalized at much higher rates than other children, and even more so if they had autism with comorbid intellectual disability ( 3 ). Comparatively, autistic children were hospitalized at higher rates than children with other medical problems including obesity and heart failure ( 3 ). Hospitalizations of autistic children with COVID-19 were also longer than their neurotypical peers with increased risk of mortality ( 3 , 4 ).…”

“…Comparatively, autistic children were hospitalized at higher rates than children with other medical problems including obesity and heart failure ( 3 ). Hospitalizations of autistic children with COVID-19 were also longer than their neurotypical peers with increased risk of mortality ( 3 , 4 ).…”

A qualitative examination of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with autism and their parents

“…Further, some individuals with ASD have challenges adhering to public health guidelines such as mask-wearing, proper hand-washing techniques, and maintaining distance from others ( Kalb et al, 2021 ). This is especially concerning as research suggests that individuals with ASD are four times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 than individuals without ASD ( Karpur et al, 2021 ).…”