Citation

Albantakis L, Parpart H, Thaler H, Krankenhagen M, Bohm J, Zillekens I, Schilbach L. Nervenheilkd. 2018; 37(9): 587-593.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0038-1670568

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Depressions are among the most frequent comorbidities in adults suffering from ASD, in particular in those patients who fulfill the criteria for high-functioning autism (HFA) depressive disorders are combined with high suicidal rates. The exact risk factors remain unclear. Material and methods: For this study a sample of 186 adult patients with ASD, who had visited the outpatients or day clinic for disorders of social interaction, was included. With the patients' consents, their clinical data sets were analyzed for epidemiological, psychometric and psycho-social research.

RESULTS: 50 % of the autistic patients suffered from a depressive episode. The patients' age and the status of unemployment at the time of admission were found to contribute to the development of a comorbid depression.

CONCLUSIONS and clinical relevance: Due to the high rates of depression and suicides in adult patients with ASD, a thorough medical assessment including the clarification of suicidality is highly recommended at every patient contact. Further developments of disorder specific therapies and professional support networks for patients with ASD are still urgently required. First approaches on therapeutic and outpatient basis have been realized for patients with latediagnosed HFA. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2018.

Language: de

Keywords

adult; human; age; autism; suicidality; depression; suicidal behavior; comorbidity; unemployment; risk factor; Asperger syndrome; Autism spectrum disorder; outpatient; major clinical study; Article; adult disease