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A Feasible Methodological Approach to Estimate the Burden of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from the EPI-ASD Study in the Province of Lecce (Southern Italy)

Authors :
Giovanni Imbriani
Tiziana Grassi
Francesco Bagordo
Giovanni De Filippis
Donato De Giorgi
Luigi Peccarisi
Federica Dileone
Tonia Fattizzo
Gianfranco Antonucci
Maria Luciana Margiotta
Serafino De Giorgi
Valeria Grasso
Antonella De Donno
Prisco Piscitelli
Imbriani, Giovanni
Grassi, Tiziana
Bagordo, Francesco
De Filippis, Giovanni
De Giorgi, Donato
Peccarisi, Luigi
Dileone, Federica
Fattizzo, Tonia
Antonucci, Gianfranco
Luciana Margiotta, Maria
De Giorgi, Serafino
Grasso, Valeria
DE DONNO, Maria Antonella
Piscitelli, Prisco
Source :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 10; Pages: 6334
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have rapidly increased globally. However, the lack of comprehensive epidemiological surveys and surveillance systems, able to provide official data at a national or European level is one of the main issues in the monitoring of this condition. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ASD in children and adolescents aged 3–18 years old living in the province of Lecce (Southern Italy) through official data provided by the Local Health Authority of Lecce (ASL/LE) up to 31 October 2020, and compare it with school-based data concerning the number of students needing support for ASD. Based on data provided by the ASL/LE, in 2020 there were 509 cases of ASD among children and adolescents aged 3–18 years old, corresponding to a prevalence of 0.46%. A total of 408 (80.2%) were boys and 101 (19.8%) were girls. In relation to their age, 155 ASD cases (0.90%) were diagnosed in the 3–5 age group, while 222 (0.55%) in the 6–11 age group and 132 (0.25%) in the 12–18 age group. Prevalence of ASD assessed by school-based dataset was underestimated in the 3–5 age group, while the 6–11 and 12–18 age groups were consistent with the official data provided by the ASL/LE.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 10; Pages: 6334
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....13e5c09702cad5e866a2d08a6eac95c2