Abstract
Background Patients with 'underlying' autism spectrum disorder (ASD) constitute a significant minority in adult out-patient psychiatry. Diagnoses of previously unrecognised ASD are increasing in adults. Characteristics of patients with autism within adult out-patient psychiatry have not been sufficiently explored, and there have not been any systematic comparisons of characteristics between patients with and those without autism within adult out-patient psychiatric populations. Aims To examine psychiatrically relevant characteristics in autistic adult psychiatric out-patients, and to compare the characteristics with non-autistic adult psychiatric out-patients. Method We assessed 90 patients who were referred to a Swedish psychiatric out-patient clinic and screened for ASD during 2019-2020. Sixty-three patients met the DSM-5 criteria for ASD or 'subthreshold' ASD. The 27 who did not meet the criteria for ASD were used as a comparison group. Assessments were made with structured and well-validated instruments, including parent ratings of developmental history. Results No differences were found between the groups regarding self-reported sociodemographic variables. The ASD group showed a higher number of co-occurring psychiatric disorders than the non-ASD group (t(88) = 5.17, 95% CI 1.29-2.91, d = 1.19). Functional level was lower in the ASD group (t(88) = -2.66, 95% CI -9.46 to -1.27, d = -0.73), and was predicted by the number of co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Conclusions The results underscore the need for thorough assessment of psychiatric disorders in autistic patients in adult psychiatric services. ASD should be considered as a possible 'underlying' condition in adult psychiatry, and there is no easy way of ruling out ASD in this population.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e89 |
Journal | BJPsych Open |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Psychiatry
Free keywords
- adults
- Autism spectrum disorder
- comorbidity
- neurodevelopmental disorders
- psychiatry