title: Psychiatric comorbidity and medication use in adults with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate comorbid psychiatric disorders and psychotropic medication use among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ascertained as children during a 1980's statewide Utah autism prevalence study (n = 129). Seventy-three individuals (56.6 %) met criteria for a current psychiatric disorder; 89 participants (69.0 %) met lifetime criteria for a psychiatric disorder. Caregivers reported a psychiatric diagnosis in 44 participants (34.1 %). Anxiety disorder had the highest current and lifetime prevalence (39.5 and 52.7 %, respectively). Participants with intellectual disability (n = 94, 72.8 %) were significantly less likely to have community-based diagnoses of anxiety (χ(2) = 5.37, p = 0.02) or depression (χ(2) = 13.18, p < 0.001) reported by caregivers. Seventy-six participants (58.9 %) were taking ≥1 psychotropic medication. Comorbid psychiatric disorders occur frequently in adults with ASD, though identifying these disorders poses a challenge in community settings. A greater understanding of the presentation of these conditions within this population will increase assessment validity and the potential for efficacious intervention.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors: Tara R
authors: TR
authors: Buck
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Viskochil
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Farley
authors: Hilary
authors: H
authors: Coon
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: McMahon
authors: Jubel
authors: J
authors: Morgan
authors: Deborah A
authors: DA
authors: Bilder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014589:Utah / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs