Prevalence and Premature Mortality Statistics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Birth Cohort Study

Mortality risk among Autistic children and young people: A nationwide birth cohort study

LAY ABSTRACT

Existing literature indicates that Autistic people have shorter life expectancy, but little is known about the mortality risk among Autistic children and young people (0-24 years). We used a 15-year nationwide birth cohort study to estimate the mortality risk among Autistic children and young people in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The study included 895,707 children and 11,919 (1.4%) were Autistic. We found that autism was associated with a significantly higher mortality risk compared to the non-Autistic population. In addition, we found that this risk was significantly higher among females compared to males and for those with a co-occurring intellectual disability. Increased efforts are required to better meet the health needs of this population.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Has the Potential to Be Used as a Diagnostic Tool and Treatment Target for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders, is characterized by social impairment and repetitive and stereotypic behaviors. Because of the lack of approved laboratory diagnostic markers and effective therapeutic medications, it is one of the most challenging diseases. Therefore, it is urgent to explore potential diagnosis markers or therapeutic targets. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a neurotrophic growth factor that enhances brain development. IGF-1 levels in body fluids are lower in preschool children with ASD than in typically developing children, which may serve as a potential diagnostic marker. In various ASD models associated with genetic or environmental exposure, IGF-1 treatment can improve core symptoms or pathological changes, including neuronal development, neural cell survival, balance of synaptic excitation and inhibition, neuroimmunology, and oxidative stress status. In March 2023 an IGF-1 derivative was approved as the first drug for treating Rett syndrome, an ASD-related neurodevelopmental disorder, to improve fundamental symptoms such as social communication. Thus, in this review, we present accumulating evidence of altered IGF-1 levels in ASD patients and the possible mechanisms, as well as evidence that IGF-1 treatment improves the pathophysiology in various ASD models. IGF-1 has the potential to be an early diagnosis marker and an effective therapeutic for ASD.

Retrospective Analysis of Burn Injuries in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders are at risk for burn injury, but the clinical outcomes, particularly mortality, are unknown in this patient population in the United States (U.S.). The main objectives of this study are to evaluate (1) subject characteristics; (2) burn injury type; (3) clinical care provided; and (4) mortality in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), hypothesizing that this patient population has similar mortality and critical care management requirements when compared to children without ASD. This is a retrospective observational cohort study utilizing the TriNetX ® electronic health record database of subjects aged 0 to 18 years with burn injury associated diagnostic codes. Data were analyzed for demographics, diagnostic, medication, procedural codes, and mortality. We analyzed 99,323 subjects (n, %) coded for a burn injury [3083 (3.1%) with ASD and 96,240 (96.9%) without ASD]. Children with ASD had a higher odds of 1-year all-cause mortality [1.9 (1.06, 3.40), p = 0.004], need for critical care services [1.88 (1.40, 2.52), p < 0.001], and mechanical ventilation [2.69 (1.74, 4.17), p < 0.001] compared to those without. Our study found that U.S. children with ASD who had a burn injury had a higher odds of mortality and critical care needs when compared to children without ASD. Future studies are needed to understand the impact of burn injuries and factors associated with mortality in this patient population.

Excess Mortality in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Purpose

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be associated with increased mortality, but relevant findings have been inconsistent. The modifying effects of gender and intellectual disability on excess mortality in individuals with ASD are underexplored.

Patients and Methods

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and the National Death Registry, this population-based cohort study selected the data of 75,946 patients with ASD (ASD cohort) and 75,946 age group-, gender-, and income-matched (1:1) patients without ASD (non-ASD cohort). Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare mortality rates between the cohorts, and stratified analyses were used to evaluate the influence of gender and intellectual disability on mortality risk.

Results

The ASD cohort had higher mortality rates for all causes of death than did the non-ASD cohort (adjusted hazard ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.54-1.75). Comorbid intellectual disability was associated with an increased risk of mortality, and this association was stronger in female patients than in male patients. Moreover, when focusing on deaths from natural causes, we found a significantly higher odds ratio for mortality in the ASD population with ID compared to those without ID.

Conclusion

ASD is associated with increased mortality, especially among female individuals and those with intellectual disability.

The Role of Socioeconomic Position in the Association Between Mental Disorders and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Studies are lacking summarizing how the association between mental disorders and mortality varies by socioeconomic position (SEP), particularly considering different aspects of SEP, specific types of mental disorders, and causes of death.

Objective

To investigate the role of SEP in the association between mental disorders and mortality and the association between SEP and mortality among people with mental disorders.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched from January 1, 1980, through April 3, 2023, and a snowball search of reference and citation lists was conducted.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria were observational studies estimating the associations between different types of mental disorders and mortality, stratified by SEP and between SEP and mortality in people with mental disorders.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Pairs of reviewers independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed the risk of bias using the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Graphical analyses of the dose-response associations and random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was explored through meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses.

Main Outcomes and Measures

All-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Results

Of 28 274 articles screened, 71 including more than 4 million people with mental disorders met the inclusion criteria (most of which were conducted in high-income countries). The relative associations between mental disorders and mortality were similar across SEP levels. Among people with mental disorders, belonging to the highest rather than the lowest SEP group was associated with lower all-cause mortality (pooled relative risk [RR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.86) and mortality from natural causes (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.62-0.85) and higher mortality from external causes (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.99-1.41). Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 83% to 99%). Results from subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were consistent with those from the main analyses. Evidence on absolute scales, specific diagnoses, and specific causes of death was scarce.

Conclusion and Relevance

This study did not find a sufficient body of evidence that SEP moderated the relative association between mental disorders and mortality, but the underlying mortality rates may differ by SEP group, despite having scarcely been reported. This information gap, together with our findings related to SEP and a possible differential risk between natural and external causes of death in individuals with specific types of mental disorders, warrants further research.

Prevalence and severity of COVID-19 among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in the Republic of Korea

LAY ABSTRACT

It is more difficult to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, as they have trouble communicating and adjusting to their new daily lives like wearing masks and social distancing. However, there have not been many studies that focused on coronavirus disease 2019 among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. We included all Korean citizens under the age of 19 as our study subjects. Among them, we found out the prevalence, severity, and case fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 in children and adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder was lower than that of those without autism spectrum disorder. For severity, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to enter severe stages of disease and had higher hospitalization rates than those without autism spectrum disorder. There were no deaths among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, while a few died among children and adolescents without autism spectrum disorder. However, due to the small number of deaths, it was difficult to determine whether there was a link between autism spectrum disorder and coronavirus disease 2019 deaths. We found that the appropriate quarantine policies have played a great role in sustaining overall low prevalence and higher hospitalization rates among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder than those without autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, because Korea has fewer schools and facilities (i.e. personal care, social training, and skilled nursing facility) for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder than other countries, those with autism spectrum disorder have fewer social contacts than even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Autism in England: assessing underdiagnosis in a population-based cohort study of prospectively collected primary care data

Background

Autism has long been viewed as a paediatric condition, meaning that many autistic adults missed out on a diagnosis as children when autism was little known. We estimated numbers of diagnosed and undiagnosed autistic people in England, and examined how diagnostic rates differed by socio-demographic factors.

Methods

This population-based cohort study of prospectively collected primary care data from IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) compared the prevalence of diagnosed autism to community prevalence to estimate underdiagnosis. 602,433 individuals registered at an English primary care practice in 2018 and 5,586,100 individuals registered between 2000 and 2018 were included.

Findings

Rates of diagnosed autism in children/young people were much higher than in adults/older adults. As of 2018, 2.94% of 10- to 14-year-olds had a diagnosis (1 in 34), vs. 0.02% aged 70+ (1 in 6000). Exploratory projections based on these data suggest that, as of 2018, 463,500 people (0.82% of the English population) may have been diagnosed autistic, and between 435,700 and 1,197,300 may be autistic and undiagnosed (59-72% of autistic people, 0.77%-2.12% of the English population). Age-related inequalities were also evident in new diagnoses (incidence): c.1 in 250 5- to 9-year-olds had a newly-recorded autism diagnosis in 2018, vs. c.1 in 4000 20- to 49-year-olds, and c.1 in 18,000 people aged 50+.

Interpretation

Substantial age-related differences in the proportions of people diagnosed suggest an urgent need to improve access to adult autism diagnostic services.

Funding

Dunhill Medical Trust, Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, the Wellcome Trust, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

[Early death and causes of death of patients with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review]

To study of premature/early death of autistic patients from the perspective of life course can help families, medical institutions and policy makers better deal with the adverse effects of autism. Several studies have shown that autistic patients have a high risk of death, however, the results are still inconsistent. To assess the risk of mortality among the autistic patients, we undertook a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE databases. This paper reviewed the studies on the negative disease outcomes of autism spectrum disorders, including the risk of death, causes of death and several research hotspots in this field. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were used. Information was extracted from selected papers, tabulated and synthesized. In the study, 15 studies were included, with a total of 216 045 individuals. The main outcome was all-cause mortality in association with autism and the secondary outcome was cause-specific mortality. The results showed that all-cause mortality was higher for the autistic patients (RR=2.32, 95%CI: 1.98-2.72, I²=87.1%, P < 0.001). Risk ratio showed a greater inequality for female than male (male: RR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.57-2.55, I²=93.2%, P < 0.001; female: RR=4.66, 95%CI: 3.30-6.58, I²=92.0%, P < 0.001). Compared with the unnatural death, the risk of natural death was higher (RR=3.44, 95%CI: 1.27-9.26, I²=80.2%, P=0.025). As autism had many comorbidities, which would bring more health risks and natural deaths possibilities. There were some structural differences in unnatural death. Accidental injury death and suicide were two kinds of causes. Lacking social skills would weaken the ability to ask for help when encountering injuries. This paper put forward some suggestions for futures. First, to well study the comorbidity can reduce the risk of death from a medical point of view. Second, the scientists and policymakers should pay attention to the social environment and provide a safer environment for the autistic patients. Third, for women and for adolescents without cognitive impairment, due to their high risk of suicide, the society should provide them with more supportive social networks and improve their life satisfaction. Fourth, it is necessary to balance the rehabilitation resources in various regions in China and provide more high-quality lifelong rehabilitation monitoring and care services.

Training on Congenital 3D Cardiac Models - Will Models Improve Surgical Performance?

Technical skill development in congenital heart surgery (CHS) is challenging due to numerous factors which potentially limit the hands-on operative exposure in surgical training. These challenges have stimulated the growth of simulation-based training through the development of 3D-printed models, providing hands-on surgical training (HOST). From its inception in 2015, the models used in the HOST program have constantly improved, and now include valvar/subvalvar apparatus and better materials that mimic real tissue. Evidence shows that deliberate, regular simulation practice can improve a surgeon's technical skills across the spectrum of CHS. Furthermore, surgical trainees who undergo simulation training are able to translate this improved performance into the operative environment with improved patient outcomes. Despite evidence to support the incorporation of simulation methods into congenital training, its widespread adoption into training curricula remains low. This is due to numerous factors including funding, lack of dedicated time or proctorship and access to models-all of which can be overcome with the newer generation of models and committed trainers. Training programs should consider incorporating simulation-methods as a routine component of congenital training programs.

Case report: Look at my eyes

The comorbidity of migraine and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) still remain unclear. In spite of plausible evidences of such comorbidity, there is a scarcity of populational studies focusing this hypothesis. The diagnosis of migraine in children with ASD is very challenge due to the large clinical heterogeneity and limited communication skills, particularly verbal abilities in young children and those with intellectual disability. ASD and migraine are chronic prevalent disorders sharing some pathophysiological changes (neurotransmission dysregulation, altered immune response, abnormal findings in the cortical minicolumn organization, and dysfunctions in the gut–brain axis), susceptibility genes (including calcium channel mutations and polymorphisms), and atypical sensory processing. Herein, we take advantage of a prototypical case of an adolescent with episodic migraine transformed to chronic, not responsive to preventive treatment, to explore the diagnostic workup and successful personalized clinical and therapeutical management.

Knowledge and beliefs about autism spectrum disorders among physicians: a cross-sectional survey from China

BACKGROUND

The incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is increasing greatly, with high demands for earlier diagnosis and intervention. However, little is known about ASD knowledge and beliefs among physicians in China.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was used to assess the knowledge and beliefs about the diagnosis and management of ASD and 24 beliefs regarding the treatment and prognostic aspects of ASD among physicians of any medical specialty in China.

RESULTS

A total of 1160 physicians were recruited and surveyed, with an average score of 8.48±2.66 (total of 18 points) for the questionnaire on the main symptoms of ASD and 14.35±3.69 (total of 24 points) for beliefs about ASD. Physicians' age, sex, specialty and practice years were related to their knowledge of identifying patients with ASD. Physicians specialising in paediatrics/psychology/psychiatry scored higher than those specialising in other specialties both in response to diagnostic questions (8.98±2.63 vs 8.30±2.65, p<0.001) and beliefs about ASD (15.57±3.44 vs 13.97±3.97, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge and beliefs about ASD symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are insufficient among physicians in China. Education and training programmes on this topic should be enhanced in physicians of all specialties, especially for male physicians who have short years in practice.