» Articles » PMID: 38356908

Increased Risk of Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Nation-wide Cohort Study in Taiwan

Overview
Specialty Psychiatry
Date 2024 Feb 15
PMID 38356908
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Introduction: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of traumatic events, yet the association between ASD and the risk of developing acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate this association, addressing the gap in large-scale evidence on the subject.

Methods: Conducted as a retrospective and matched cohort study, data was sourced from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, spanning from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015. The study included patients aged 18 years or under newly diagnosed with ASD (n=15,200) and compared them with a matched control group (n=45,600). The Cox proportional regression model was employed to assess the risk of acute stress disorder and PTSD.

Results: Over the 15-year follow-up period, a total of 132 participants developed either acute stress disorder or PTSD. Among them, 105 cases (0.691% or 64.90 per 100,000 person-years) were in the ASD group, while 27 cases (0.059% or 5.38 per 100,000 person-years) were in the control group. The adjusted hazard ratio for the ASD group was significantly higher compared to the control group (25.661 with 95% CI = 15.913-41.232; P < .001).

Discussion: This study provides compelling evidence that individuals with ASD face an elevated risk of developing acute stress disorder and PTSD. The findings underscore the importance of clinicians recognizing and addressing this vulnerability in ASD individuals exposed to traumatic events. This emphasizes the need for heightened attention to the risk of PTSD and acute stress disorder in the ASD population.

Citing Articles

Pilot Study of Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Spectral Electroencephalogram Analyses for Assessing and Treating Persons with Autism.

Makale M, Nybo C, Blum K, Dennen C, Elman I, Murphy K J Pers Med. 2024; 14(8).

PMID: 39202048 PMC: 11355711. DOI: 10.3390/jpm14080857.


Platelet Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is There a Specific Association with Autism Spectrum Psychopathology?.

Carpita B, Nardi B, Bonelli C, Pascariello L, Massimetti G, Cremone I Biomedicines. 2024; 12(7).

PMID: 39062102 PMC: 11274613. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071529.

References
1.
Roberts A, Koenen K, Lyall K, Robinson E, Weisskopf M . Association of autistic traits in adulthood with childhood abuse, interpersonal victimization, and posttraumatic stress. Child Abuse Negl. 2015; 45:135-42. PMC: 4784091. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.04.010. View

2.
Hoover D, Kaufman J . Adverse childhood experiences in children with autism spectrum disorder. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2017; 31(2):128-132. PMC: 6082373. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000390. View

3.
Storch E, Sulkowski M, Nadeau J, Lewin A, Arnold E, Mutch P . The phenomenology and clinical correlates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013; 43(10):2450-9. PMC: 3808993. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1795-x. View

4.
Dean M, Harwood R, Kasari C . The art of camouflage: Gender differences in the social behaviors of girls and boys with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2016; 21(6):678-689. DOI: 10.1177/1362361316671845. View

5.
Lai M, Lombardo M, Baron-Cohen S . Autism. Lancet. 2013; 383(9920):896-910. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61539-1. View