Pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often underrepresented in pain trials, even though chronic pain is more prevalent in people with autism. In the past, researchers found psychological, physical and pharmacologic therapies are required to ensure treatment is accessible and efficacious for this patient population.
Statistically, chronic pain affects 15.6% of pediatric patients with autism, compared with 8.2% of non-autistic pediatric patients.
A team of investigators