Compared to the general pediatric population, children with autism have higher rates of co-occurring medical and psychiatric illnesses, yet very little is known about the general health status of adults with autism. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of psychiatric and medical conditions among a large, diverse, insured population of adults with autism in the United States. Participants were adult members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California enrolled from 2008 to 2012. Autism spectrum disorder cases (N = 1507) were adults with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases-9-Clinical Modification codes 299.0, 299.8, 299.9) recorded in medical records on at least two separate occasions. Controls (N = 15,070) were adults without any autism spectrum disorder diagnoses sampled at a 10:1 ratio and frequency matched to cases on sex and age. Adults with autism had significantly increased rates of all major psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety...

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The health status of adults on the autism spectrum

Objective The relationship between sex/gender differences and autism has attracted a variety of research ranging from clinical and neurobiological to etiological, stimulated by the male bias in autism prevalence. Findings are complex and do not always relate to each other in a straightforward manner. Distinct but interlinked questions on the relationship between sex/gender differences and autism remain underaddressed. To better understand the implications from existing research and to help design future studies, we propose a 4-level conceptual framework to clarify the embedded themes. Method We searched PubMed for publications before September 2014 using search terms "‘sex OR gender OR females' AND autism." A total of 1,906 articles were screened for relevance, along with publications identified via additional literature reviews, resulting in 329 articles that were reviewed. Results Level 1, "Nosological and diagnostic challenges," concerns the question, "How should autism be defined and diagnosed in males and females?" Level 2, "Sex/gender-independent and sex/gender-dependent characteristics," addresses the question, "What are the similarities and differences between males and females with autism?" Level 3, "General models of etiology: liability and threshold," asks the question, "How is the liability for developing autism linked to sex/gender?" Level 4, "Specific etiological–developmental mechanisms," focuses on the question, "What etiological–developmental mechanisms of autism are implicated by sex/gender and/or sexual/gender differentiation?" Conclusions Using this conceptual framework, findings can be more clearly summarized, and the implications of the links between findings from different levels can become clearer. Based on this 4-level framework, we suggest future research directions, methodology, and specific topics in sex/gender differences and autism.

/pdf/sex-gender-differences-and-autism-setting-the-scene-for-3ix9cydgyu.pdf

Sex/Gender Differences and Autism: Setting the Scene for Future Research

Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience

Autism spectrum disorder is a construct used to describe individuals with a specific combination of impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviours, highly restricted interests and/or sensory behaviours beginning early in life. The worldwide prevalence of autism is just under 1%, but estimates are higher in high-income countries. Although gross brain pathology is not characteristic of autism, subtle anatomical and functional differences have been observed in post-mortem, neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies. Initially, it was hoped that accurate measurement of behavioural phenotypes would lead to specific genetic subtypes, but genetic findings have mainly applied to heterogeneous groups that are not specific to autism. Psychosocial interventions in children can improve specific behaviours, such as joint attention, language and social engagement, that may affect further development and could reduce symptom severity. However, further research is necessary to identify the long-term needs of people with autism, and treatments and the mechanisms behind them that could result in improved independence and quality of life over time. Families are often the major source of support for people with autism throughout much of life and need to be considered, along with the perspectives of autistic individuals, in both research and practice.

/pdf/autism-spectrum-disorder-55g4bscnxz.pdf

Autism spectrum disorder

https://www.gnc.gu.se/digitalAssets/1349/1349913_lugneg--rd-psychiatric-comorbidity-in-young-adults-.pdf

Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome

A century ago, Kraepelin and Bleuler observed that schizophrenia is often antedated by "premorbid" abnormalities. In this study we explore how the childhood neurodevelopmental problems found in patients with schizophrenia relate to the current concept of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Forty-six young adult individuals with clinical diagnoses of schizophrenic psychotic disorders were assessed. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID-I) was used in face-to-face psychiatric examination of each individual. In 32 of the 46 cases (70%), collateral information was provided by one or both parents. The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders - eleventh version (DISCO-11) was used when interviewing these relatives. This instrument covers, in considerable depth, childhood development, adaptive functioning, and symptoms of ASD - current and lifetime. There is a strict algorithm for ASD diagnosis. About half of the cases with schizophrenic psychosis had ASD according to the results of the parental interview. The rate of ASD was strikingly high (60%) in the group with a SCID-I diagnosis of schizophrenia paranoid type. The findings underscore the need to revisit the DSM's "either or" stance between ASD and schizophrenia.

Is autism spectrum disorder common in schizophrenia

Personality disorders and autism spectrum disorders: what are the connections?

Introduction: The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test is a widely used facial affect recognition test. The present study aimed to provide Swedish nonpatient reference values, examine test-retest reli ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13546800902901518

Tove Lugnegård

Papers

Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome

Is autism spectrum disorder common in schizophrenia

Personality disorders and autism spectrum disorders: what are the connections?

The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test : Test-retest reliability of a Swedish version

Social cognition impairments in Asperger syndrome and schizophrenia