Central Sensitivity Symptoms and Autistic Traits in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults.

Recruitment relied on social media and patient support groups, introducing selection bias towards participants with higher symptom severity or specific health conditions. The sample was predominantly female (428 women vs 91 men), which may limit generalizability to men. Participants were excluded if they identified as a gender other than male or female, leaving no data on non-binary or transgender experiences. Group assignments were based on formal clinical diagnoses, which may have missed undiagnosed cases of autism or CSS, potentially blurring the lines between groups. Self-report measures may not accurately capture interoceptive differences, particularly in autistic individuals who may perceive or report bodily sensations differently. The cross-sectional design prevents determining causality or directionality between autistic traits, sensory sensitivity, and central sensitization.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Do not assume that high Autism Spectrum Quotient scores in patients with central sensitivity syndromes indicate undiagnosed autism. The study found these scores were elevated compared to controls but generally remained below the clinical cut-off for autism, suggesting a trait overlap rather than a diagnostic confirmation.