Epidemiology of autism in adults across age groups and ability levels

The epidemiology of autism in adults has relied on untested projections using childhood research. To derive representative estimates of the prevalence of autism and key associations in adults of all ages and ability levels. Comparable clinical diagnostic assessments of 7274 Adult Psychiatric Morbidi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry Vol. 209; no. 6; pp. 498 - 503
Main Authors: Brugha, Traolach S., Spiers, Nicola, Bankart, John, Cooper, Sally-Ann, McManus, Sally, Scott, Fiona J., Smith, Jane, Tyrer, Freya
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.12.2016
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology
Autistic Disorder - epidemiology
Comorbidity
England
Female
Humans
Intellectual Disability - epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Registries - statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
ISSN:0007-1250, 1472-1465
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The epidemiology of autism in adults has relied on untested projections using childhood research. To derive representative estimates of the prevalence of autism and key associations in adults of all ages and ability levels. Comparable clinical diagnostic assessments of 7274 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey participants combined with a population case-register survey of 290 adults with intellectual disability. The combined prevalence of autism in adults of all ages in England was 11/1000 (95% CI 3-19/1000). It was higher in those with moderate to profound intellectual disability (odds ratio (OR) = 63.5, 95% CI 27.4-147.2). Male gender was a strong predictor of autism only in those with no or mild intellectual disability (adjusted OR = 8.5, 95% CI 2.0-34.9; interaction with gender, P = 0.03). Few adults with autism have intellectual disability; however, autism is more prevalent in this population. Autism measures may miss more women with autism.
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ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.174649