title: Comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism: a community- and clinic-based study.
abstract: The present study identifies the prevalence and types of comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with Asperger syndrome (AS)/high-functioning autism (HFA) in a combined community- and clinic-based sample of fifty 9- to 16-year-old subjects using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present and Lifetime Version. The level of functioning was estimated using the Children's Global Assessment Scale. The results support common (prevalence 74%) and often multiple comorbid psychiatric disorders in AS/HFA; behavioral disorders were shown in 44%, anxiety disorders in 42% and tic disorders in 26%. Oppositional defiant disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions indicated significantly lower levels of functioning. To target interventions, routine evaluation of psychiatric comorbidity in subjects with AS/HFA is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Child Psychiatry, University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. marja-leena.mattila@fimnet.fi
authors.forename: Marja-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: Tuula
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hurtig
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haapsamo
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jussila
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuusikko-Gauffin
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kielinen
authors.forename: Sirkka-Liisa
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Linna
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ebeling
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bloigu
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joskitt
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moilanen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology