Comorbidity in school-aged children with autism disorder

Abstract

Objective To investigate the occurrence of comorbidity in school-aged children with autism disorder. Methods Sixty-two outpatients in Peking University Institute of Mental Health,aged 6 to 16 years old,meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ) criteria for autism were included in this cross-sectional study from September 2011 to November 2011.They were assessed with the self-made general condition questionnaire,Kiddie-Sade-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL),Child-Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS),Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS),Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) (Raven′s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM),Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT) were performed for patients who could not perform WISC test). Results The lifetime prevalence of comorbidity was 100% (62/62),in which 7 (11.3%) with 1 comorbidity,16 (25.8%) with 2 comorbidities,11 (17.7%) with 3 comorbidities,and 28 (45.2%) with 4 or more comorbidities.There were 61 ( 98.4%) children with current comorbidities,11 (17.7%) with 1 comorbidity,16 (25.8%) with 2 comorbidities,17 (27.4%) with 3 comorbidities,17 (27.4%) with 4 or more comorbidities.The lifetime prevalence and current prevalence of comorbidities were:mental retardation 53.2% (33/62) and 53.2% (33/62),psychotic disorder not otherwise specified 22.6% (14/ 62) and 21.0% (13/62),depression disorder 12.9% (8/62) and 9.7% (6/62),bipolar disorder 1.6% (1/62) and 1.6% (1/62),generalized anxiety disorder 21.0% (13/62) and 19.4% (12/62),separation anxiety disorder 6.5% (4/62) and 3.2% (2/62),panic disorder 3.2% (2/62) and 0 (0/62),obsessivecompulsive disorder 45.2% (28/62) and 45.2% (28/62),phobia 30.6% (19/62) and 29.0% (18/62),attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 62.9% (39/62) and 58.1% (36/62),inattentive type12.9% (8/62) and 11.3% (7/62),hyperactive/impulsive type 21.0% (13/62) and 17.7% (11/62),combined type 29.0% (18/62) and 29.0% (18/62),oppositional defiant disorder 12.9% (8/62) and 11.3% (7/62),conduct disorder 4.8% (3/62) and 4.8% (3/62),Tic disorder 14.5% (9/62) and 11.3% (7/62),enuresis 16.1% (10/62) and 4.8% (3/62),encopresis 9.7% (6/62) and 1.6% (1/62).A increasing trend of number of current comorbidity with the increasing of age were found in children with autism (F=2.745,P=0.051). Conclusion Comorbidities in school-aged children with autism disorder are very common.It is very important to pay attention to comorbidity of autism disorder. Key words: Child; Autistic disorder; Comorbidity; Cross-sectional studies