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Comorbidity of autistic disorder in children and adolescents

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Abstract

Although considerable research has been done on various aspects of autism, information about the prevalence of coincident psychiatric disorders that may complicate this syndrome, is negligible. In this paper, we present preliminary data on the presentation of other psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with autism. Out of an outpaticent sample of 68 autistic children and adolescents, 6 (9%) presented with an associated psychiatric disorder. Depression was the most common diagnosis. None of the patients was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed.

Résumé

Bien qu'une recherche considérable ait été enterprise concenant les différents aspects de l'autisme, l'information sur la prévalence des troubles psychiatriques coïcidant et pouvant compliquer ce syndrome reste négligeable. Dans ce travail, nous présentons des faits préliminaires concernant les autres troubles psychiatriques chez les enfants et les adolescents avec autisme. Parmi un échantillon de 68 enfants et adolescents autistes vus en consultation: 6 (9%) présentaient un trouble psychiatrique associé La dépressio était le diagnostic le plus commun. Aucun des patients n'a eu un diagnostic de schizophrénie. Les implications de ces faits pour la clinique et la recherche sont discutées.

Zusammenfassung

Obwohl zu verschiedenen Aspekten des Autismus viel geforscht wurde, gibt es kaum Informationen zur koinzidentiellen Prävalenz von psychiatrischen Störungen, die das Syndrom komplizieren könne. In dieser Arbeit stellen wir vorläufige Daten über begleitende psychiatrische Störungen bei Kindern und Jugedlichen mit Autismus vor. Von 68 ambulant behandelten Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Autismus zeigten 9% eine assoziierte psychiatrische Störung. Depression war die häufigste Diagnose. Bei keinem der Patienten war die Diagnose Schizophrenie gestellt worden. Klinische und wissenschaftliche Implikationen dieser Befunde werden diskutiert.

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Ghaziuddin, M., Tsai, L. & Ghaziuddin, N. Comorbidity of autistic disorder in children and adolescents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 1, 209–213 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02094180

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