Prevalence of Asperger's syndrome in a secure hospital.
BACKGROUND
The hypothesis that Asperger's syndrome (AS) may go unrecognised in forensic populations was examined by ascertaining the prevalence in Broadmoor Special Hospital.


METHODS
The entire male patient population was screened by examination of case notes. Identified cases were subject to the next stage of the study, which involved observation and interviewing of patients, and a semi-structured interview of key staff.


RESULTS
A prevalence of 1.5% (0.6% to 3.3%, 95% CI) was found. The addition of equivocal cases increased the prevalence to 2.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of AS in Broadmoor Hospital is greater than that reported for the general population.
Scragg
P
P
Department of Psychological Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
Shah
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012637:Security Measures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013577:Syndrome; D014754:Violence