Author/Authors :
Mohammadi, Mohammad Reza Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Ahmadi, Nastaran Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Khaleghi, Ali Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Zarafshan, Hadi Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Mostafavi,Ali Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Kamali, Koorosh Department of Public Health - School of Public Health - Zanjan University of Medical Sciences , Rahgozar, Mehdi Department of Biostatistics - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Ahmadi, Ameneh Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Hooshyari, Zahra Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Alavi, Salman Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Shakiba, Alia Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Salmanian, Maryam Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Molavi, Parviz Department of Psychiatry - Fatemi Hospital - Ardabil University of Medical Science , Sarraf, Nasrin Department of Child and Adolescent psychiatry - School of Medicine - Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Hojjat, Kaveh Addiction and Behavioral Sciences Research center - North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences , Mohammadzadeh, Soleiman Department of Psychiatry - Neuroscience Research Center - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences , Amiri, Shahrokh Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Arman, Soroor Behavioral Sciences Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Ghanizadeh, Ahmad Department of Psychiatry - Hafez Hospital - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: There is no clear picture regarding the prevalence rates of autism and its comorbidities among Iranian children and adolescents. The present study aimed to estimate these rates as part of a large national population-based study on epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in Iranian children and adolescents.
Methods: The total sample consisted of 31000 children and adolescents between 6 to 18 years of age. The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Present and Life time version (K-SADS-PL) was used as the diagnostic tool.
Results: The prevalence of autism in the total sample is equal to 0.1% (10 per 10000), with a 2:1 male-to-female ratio. In total, 86% of people with autism had at least one comorbid condition. Intellectual disability, epilepsy, enuresis and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with prevalence rates of 70.3%, 29.7%, 27% and 21.62%, respectively, were the most prevalent comorbid conditions in people with autism. Maternal personality disorders were also shown to be associated with increasing risk of autism.
Conclusion: The present study shows high prevalence rates for autism and its comorbid conditions among Iranian children and adolescents. It also reveals that there is a relationship between some maternal psychiatric disorders and the risk of autism.
Keywords :
Autism , Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder , Comorbidity , Epilepsy , Intellectual disability , Prevalence
