The Prevalence of Autism and ADHD in Adolescents with ME/CFS

Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that have been identified in up to 6% of children and adolescents worldwide. Autistic and ADHD individuals have been shown to be at higher risk of also meeting criteria for conditions such as the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Anxiety, and Depression. All of these conditions also commonly co-occur in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), however there have been no studies estimating the prevalence of autism and ADHD in the ME/CFS population. The chart review will be undertaken across a 10 year period (January 2015-April 2025) to identify any listed diagnoses of autism and/or ADHD among ME/CFS patients aged 10-19 years seen through the Royal Children's Hospital Adolescent Medicine or General Medicine ME/CFS outpatient clinics, OR, the Monash Children's Hospital Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service ME/CFS outpatient clinic. There is no further involvement from participants, as this study consists of a chart review of past appointments only. Patient charts will be reviewed from the time of their first appointment up until a diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD has been identified in their charts, OR, until the end of the designated time period (April 2025) to confirm that they have not received any diagnoses of autism or ADHD.