Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Erwachsenenalter: Empirische Befunde zu Komorbiditäten, Differenzialdiagnosen und dem klinischen Nutzen des AQ

AUTISM: spectrum disorders (ASD) often remain undiagnosed until adulthood. The aim of this study is to report differential diagnoses (DDX) and comorbidities of adults without intellectual impairment suspected of having an ASD and to test the self-assessment questionnaire Autism Quotient (AQ) for its suitability for screening.; METHODS: DDX and comorbidities were recorded with standardized scales in an autism outpatient clinic in 106 individuals. The AQ was tested against the expert judgment of an interdisciplinary case conference using ROC analysis.; RESULTS: Affective disorders were common in both groups (48%); other DDX were phobias (33%) and personality disorders (22%). The AQ showed an AUC of 0,527 with sensitivity/specificity of 70%/35%.; CONCLUSIONS: Adults suspected of having autism are highly burdened by DDX and comorbidities. An interdisciplinary diagnostic procedure based on standardized scales is useful, whereas the AQ hardly differentiates between persons with and without ASD. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Ziel Erfassung von Differenzialdiagnosen (DD) und Komorbiditäten bei Erwachsenen mit Autismusverdacht, Überprüfung des Autismus Quotient (AQ) auf seine Eignung für das Screening. Methode Stichprobe N=106; ROC-Analyse des AQ gegen das klinische Expertenurteil. Ergebnisse Komorbide affektive Störungen in beiden Gruppen (48%), DD waren Angst- (33%) und Persönlichkeitsstörungen (22%). AQ: AUC=0,527, Sensitivität/Spezifität von 70%/35%. Schlussfolgerungen Erwachsene mit Autismusverdacht sind durch DD und Komorbiditäten hoch belastet. Der AQ ist für das Screening nicht geeignet.