Autism spectrum traits in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Ivarsson, Tord; Melin, Karin

doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.10.003

Cited by 118 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These results might be related in both groups to the age and the level of development and concord with previous findings, which suggested the existence in childhood OCD of some impairments in perceiving, processing and describing repetitive thoughts and behaviours [12,27]. Also, the finding of no difference in insight amongst the two groups is in line with the study by Cath et al, which pointed out that egodystonicity did not discriminate between OCD and ASD subjects [9] and with the data of Ivarsson et al, who found in a paediatric OCD sample no relationship between the OCDpatients' level of insight and the presence of ASD traits [16].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Higher prevalence of autistic traits has been found in OCD samples both in adults [5,6] and children [16], and some evidence suggests that treatments effective for OCD may be effective for repetitive thoughts and behaviours in ASD as well [15,19,24,25]. Also, family studies have reported an association between restrictive or repetitive behaviours in probands with autism and obsessive-compulsive features in parents both in multiplex [14] and sporadic autism families [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Obsessive–compulsive traits in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome

Ruta

Mugno

D'Arrigo

et al. 2009

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective of this study is to examine the occurrence and characteristic features of obsessive-compulsive behaviours in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome (AS), with respect to a matched obsessive compulsive disorder group (OCD) and a typically developing control group (CG). For this purpose, 60 subjects (20 OCD; 18 AS; 22 CG), aged 8-15 years, matched for age, gender and IQ were compared. AS and OCD patients were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule were used to assist in the AS diagnosis; the WISC-R was administered to assess IQ. Obsessive and compulsive symptoms were evaluated by using the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). None of the AS children received a formal diagnosis of OCD. The AS group presented significantly higher frequencies of Hoarding obsessions and Repeating, Ordering and Hoarding compulsions compared to CG. The OCD group, in turn, reported significantly higher frequencies of Contamination and Aggressive obsessions and Checking compulsions compared to both the AS group and CG. As expected, the OCD group displayed a higher severity of symptoms (Moderate level of severity) than did the AS group (Mild level of severity). Finally, in our sample, neither the OCD group nor the AS group demonstrated a completely full awareness of the intrusive, unreasonable and distressing nature of symptoms, and the level of insight did not differ between the OCD group and CG, although an absence of insight was observed in the AS group. Children with AS showed higher frequencies of obsessive and compulsive symptoms than did typically developing children, and these features seem to cluster around Hoarding behaviours. Additionally, different patterns of symptoms emerged between the OCD and AS groups. Finally, in our sample, the level of insight was poor in both the OCD and the AS children. Further research should be conducted to better understand the characteristics of repetitive thoughts and behaviours in autism spectrum disorders, and to clarify the underlying neurobiological basis of these symptoms.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obsessive–compulsive traits in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome

Ruta

Mugno

D'Arrigo

et al. 2009

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This suggests that these specific ASD domains may have a moderating effect on OCD severity. In contrast, Ivarrson and colleagues (Ivarsson and Melin, 2008), who investigated children and adolescents with OCD recruited from a Swedish hospital population, found that just roughly 9% showed symptoms of ASD. The study used a neuro psychiatric assessment supplemented by autism screening questionnaire covering current and preschool autistic symptoms completed by the parents.…”

Section: Main Text Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Autism spectrum disorders in adult outpatients with obsessive compulsive disorder in the UK

Wikramanayake

Mandy

Shahper

et al. 2017

International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundPatients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently show traits of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This is one of the first studies to explore the clinical impact of the overlap between OCD and ASD as a categorical diagnosis. MethodsA cross-sectional survey in 73 adult outpatients with DSM-IV OCD. Autistic traits were measured using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). A clinical estimate ASD diagnosis was made by interview using DSM-IV-TR criteria. OCD patients with and without autistic traits or ASD were compared on demographic and clinical parameters and level of OCD treatmentresistance based on treatment history. ResultsThirty-four (47%) patients scored above the clinical threshold on the AQ (>=26) and 21 (27.8%) met diagnostic criteria for ASD. These diagnoses had not been made before. Patients with autistic traits showed a borderline significant increase in OCD symptomseverity (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS); p=.054) and significantly increased impairment of insight (Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale; p=.01). There was a positive correlation between AQ and Y-BOCS scores (p =.04), but not with OCD treatment resistance. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of previously undiagnosed ASD in patients with OCD. ASD traits are associated with greater OCD symptom-severity and poor insight.

show abstract

“…Autism Spectrum Disorders ISSN: 2165-7890 AUO, an open access journal 'bizarre' behavior can induce a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia [11,[25][26][27]; a pattern of repetitive thoughts and behavior can lead to a misdiagnosis of obsessive disorder [28][29][30]; social withdrawal and difficulty in relationship with others can induce a misdiagnosis of social phobia [31] or schizoid/schizotypal personality disorder [32,33]; poor emotional control can cause a misdiagnosis of borderline personality disorder [34], and so on.…”

Section: Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Misdiagnosis of High Function Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults: An Italian Case Series

Luciano¹,

Keller²

2014

Autism Open Access 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

High Function (HF) Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in adulthood is highly prevalent but insufficiently recognized. In Italy, in particular, awareness of this condition is still insufficient and many psychiatrists have no cases of HF ASD to mention. Adult patients with HF ASD come to the attention of Mental Health Services complaining of difficulties within their social context and interpersonal relationships. Objectives:Describe emblematic clinical examples of misdiagnosed HF ASD to understand reasons that conducted to misdiagnosis. Procedure:We contact five specialized Italian Center in diagnosis of ASD. Each center have to describe two or three emblematic cases of adult patient with diagnosis of ASD validated by ADOS-4 but referred to clinicians with another diagnosis, discussing about possible reasons of misdiagnosis. Sample and Results:We have collected 12 case reports (2 from Bologna center, 3 from Torino center, 3 from Pavia center, 2 from Verona center and 2 from Catania center) of adult HF ASD previously misdiagnosed. These cases shows important similarity across centers and highlight that if are taken into account only problems or symptoms that conduct patients to ask help, cases can easily suggest other psychiatric or personality disorders. Diagnosis becomes clear only after considering all the clinical features and a detailed developmental history. Conclusion:Psychiatrists who have insufficient experience of ASD may overlook some symptoms of the overall clinical picture and misdiagnose ASD as personality disorders, schizophrenia, phobia or even as a non-psychiatric condition, so is hopeful for future increased knowledge about HF ASD in adulthood.

show abstract

Autism spectrum traits in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Cited by 118 publications

References 31 publications

Obsessive–compulsive traits in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome

Obsessive–compulsive traits in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome

Autism spectrum disorders in adult outpatients with obsessive compulsive disorder in the UK

Misdiagnosis of High Function Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults: An Italian Case Series

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About