title: Prevalence of Asperger syndrome among patients of an Early Intervention in Psychosis team.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a lack of systematic studies into comorbidity of Asperger syndrome and psychosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of Asperger syndrome among patients of an early intervention in psychosis service.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a cross-sectional survey consisting of three phases: screening, case note review and diagnostic interviews. All patients on caseload (n = 197) were screened using the Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults Screening Questionnaire. The case notes of patients screened positive were then reviewed for information relevant to Asperger syndrome. Those suspected of having Asperger syndrome were invited for a diagnostic interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients were screened positive. Three of them already had a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome made by child and adolescent mental health services. After case note review, 13 patients were invited to interview. Four did not take part, so nine were interviewed. At interview, four were diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. In total, seven patients had Asperger syndrome. Thus, the prevalence rate in this population is at least 3.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the prevalence of Asperger syndrome in first-episode psychosis is considerably higher than that in the general population. Clinicians working in early intervention teams need to be alert to the possibility of Asperger syndrome when assessing patients.
authors.affiliation: Aspire (Leeds Early Intervention in Psychosis Service), Leeds, UK; Leeds & York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds, UK; Unviversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stansfield
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asperger syndrome; autism; early intervention; psychosis; schizophrenia