title: [Autism spectrum disorders - epidemiology, symptoms, comorbidity and diagnosis].
abstract: In the new classification of American Psychiatric Association - DSM-5 - a category of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) was introduced, which replaced autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. ASD are defined by two basic psychopathological dimensions: communication disturbances and stereotyped behaviors, and the diagnosis is complemented with the assessment of language development and intellectual level. In successive epidemiological studies conducted in 21 century the prevalence of ASD has been rising, and currently is estimated at 1% in general population. The lifetime psychiatric comorbidity is observed in majority of patients. The most common coexisting diagnoses comprise disorders ofanxiety-affective spectrum, and in about 1/3 of patients attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorders could be diagnosed. Prodromal symptoms of ASD may emerge before 12 months of life, however reliability of diagnosis at such an early age is poor. Several screening instruments, based on the parental and/or healthcare professional assessments may be helpful in ASD detection. However, structured interviews and observation schedules remain the gold standard of diagnosis.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rybakowski
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bialek
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chojnicka
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dziechciarz
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janas-Kozik
authors.forename: Anetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeziorek
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pisula
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piwowarczyk
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slopien
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sykut-Cegielska
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Szajewska
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szczaluba
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szymanska
authors.forename: Ksymena
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Urbanek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waligórska
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wojciechowska
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wroniszewski
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunajska
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence